THE CALENDAR: 



MONTHLY HINTS IN FLORICULTURE. 



OCTOBEE. 



If you enter upon a new tenancy, and are become the 

 possessor of an old-established garden, in the first place 

 look carefully round, to see what you have visible in it ; 

 and, secondly, delay any great changes or clearances tiU 

 at least six or eight months have elapsed, and spring and 

 summer shall have made you acquainted with whatever 

 treasures may now lie concealed underground. Often, 

 by forbearance in such cases, you become the master of 

 specimens that would cost you years and years to rear ; 

 and sometimes, by merely turning the earth of an ancient 

 border, you bring to light and vitality the seeds of rare 

 plants that have lain buried for years. Read carefully 

 the Calendar to our "Kitchen Garden." Plant hya- 

 cinths and other bulbs, if you did not do so last month. 

 Look to your chrysanthemums in pots; see that they 

 are regularly watered and neatly sticked, ready to be 

 brought indoors at the first threat of a frosty night. 

 Cut half-opened chrysanthemum-blooms, a few from each 

 variety you have ; reserve them in water, under shelter 

 and warmth, and you may often produce a handsome 

 bouquet when outdoor flowers are completely destroyed. 

 Lay out all your planting arrangements for next month ; 

 prepare the holes, where the ground is vacant, and have 

 ready the requisite soils and manures. Cut down dahlia- 

 stems as soon as the frost has blackened them ; leave the 

 tubers a little longer in the ground, to ripen. Clear 

 away the leaves and stems of tender annuals as soon as 

 they have shared the fate of the dahlias; chrysan- 



