NOVEMBER. 



17 



with a rise of 10° or 15° by day, under sun-heat. 

 The atmosphere should also be drier, but on no 

 account should it be parched. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — Any 

 hard-wooded plants which still remain out-of- 

 doors should be housed early in the month. 

 Heaths, Epacris, and other plants of similar 

 nature should be put where there is a free 

 circulation of air whenever the state of the 

 weather permits. Water should be given spar- 

 ingly, according to the variations of weather, 

 and on fine mornings if possible, to avoid stag- 

 nation of the atmosphere. All Chrysanthemums 

 should be housed. The most forward varieties 

 must occupy a space by themselves, and when 

 in bloom should be removed to the conserva- 

 tory. Pelargoniums of the Zonal type that 

 were prepared for autumn flowering will now 

 be fully in flower, and should have a somewhat 

 dry atmosphere with a temperature of from 

 55° to 60°, and those which are coming into 

 bloom may have similar treatment. Bouvardias 

 now flowering will thrive in the same house. 

 Fancy Pelargoniums for early flowering should 

 receive their final removal. Till established in 

 the fresh pots water should be sparingly given. 

 Keep a sharp look-out for green-fly, and destroy 

 it on its first appearance. 



Pits and Frames. 



Bulbs and other plants for forcing should 

 now be potted, including such as Tulips, Hya- 

 cinths, Gladiolus (The Bride), Spircea japonica, 

 Lily of the Valley, Solomon's Seal, Lilium Har- 

 risii, Narcissus, &c. They should be put into 

 pots of various sizes according to the object for 

 which they are intended. If for cutting, several 

 bulbs may be put into larger pots, but if for 

 the adornment of the conservatory or rooms, 

 then the smaller the pots the better. When 

 potted, all but the latter should be covered with 

 ashes, and these should be placed in a cold 

 frame with Freesias, Alliums, Crocosmos, Scillas, 

 &c. Air should be freely admitted on all favour- 

 able occasions to half-hardy plants in cold frames, 

 in order that they may be inured to the weather 

 as far as possible. Pot on herbaceous Calceo- 

 larias, Cinerarias, Schizanthus, Cyclamens, &c, 

 as they require it. Insert cuttings of shrubby 

 Calceolarias, Pentstemons, Hollyhocks, and other 

 plants that need the protection of cold frames. 

 Violets for winter flowering should be put in 

 frames if not there already, and any plants 

 which require protection from frost should re- 

 ceive attention without delay. 

 vol i. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



This is one of the busiest months of the 

 whole year, and much depends on the work 

 done during it. Take up and protect from frost 

 any plants that will not withstand the winter, 

 such as Dahlias, Cannas, Fuchsias, Lobelias, 

 Pelargoniums, &c. The beds should also be 

 cleared of all summer bedding plants, and, after 

 being edged and dug, planted with dwarf shrubs, 

 Violas, Wallflowers, Myosotis, Silene, Alyssums, 

 and the like, such plants making a fine display 

 in early spring. When these have been planted, 

 bulbs of various kinds may be dibbled in 

 amongst them, as the flowers of these will stand 

 well up above the carpet beneath. Seed of 

 hardy annuals may also be sown early in the 

 month, for if the winter should prove mild they 

 will bloom before those sown in spring. Lawns 

 should be mown where the grass has a tendency 

 to grow, so that the leaves may be the more 

 easily cleared off. Where alterations are pro- 

 posed in the ground, or any planting is to be 

 done, the work should be carried out as early 

 as practicable. Trees planted while there is 

 sufficient warmth in the soil to induce quick 

 root action will succeed far better than if the 

 process is deferred till later in the season. There 

 are many evergreen shrubs which do far better 

 when j)lanted in autumn than in spring, there- 

 fore no time should be lost in comj)leting the 

 work. Plant deciduous trees as soon as their 

 foliage is matured. Herbaceous borders should 

 be looked over, and where weak jolants are over- 

 crowded by stronger ones, the former should be 

 removed to a situation in which they can have 

 more room to develop. 



Take up shrubs for forcing and " lay them in", 

 so that they may be potted on the first favour- 

 able opportunity. Any plants covering walls, 

 buildings, &c, which require nailing, should at 

 once receive attention to prevent them being 

 broken by high winds. 



NOVEMBER. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — During the dull days of 

 November, all the inmates of these erections 

 will need special care. Cattleyas that have 

 matured their growth will now be in a dormant 

 state, and those which have not yet attained 

 full development should be carefully watered 



