128 



CALENDAR OF GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 



Fires will now require to be lighted in the stoves, the flues of which ought to 

 be cleaned before the winter commences. Continue to give plenty of air both 

 day and night to the greenhouse until there is an indication of frost, when the 

 houses ought to be shut close during the night, but opened to admit during the 

 day as much air as the weather will allow. 



Greenhouse plants ought to be watered more sparingly at this season, and in 

 doing which avoid watering the leaves, for if watered at this season they soon 

 turn yellow. 



Put compost on the surface of the pots, if it were not done when they were 

 brought into the greenhouse. 



It is most probable that all Dahlia roots must be taken up and stored away 

 early in this month. The almost universal rule is to take them up immediately 

 after a night's frost which has cut off the tops. They may, however, be put away 

 with sounder stems, by watching the appearance of the weather, and taking 

 them up when it appears likely to be frosty. In taking them up the earth must 

 be got out carefully from amongst the tubers, and afterwards put out in the sun 

 every fine day until thoroughly dry, 



Ixias, Gladioluses, Oxalises, and other Cape bulbs, will require to be 

 re-potted about the end of the month, just when beginning to grow. 



Cut down the stems of herbaceous plants as they go out of flower. "If time 

 will allow, the herbaceous plants will survive the winter much better if the 

 borders are all fresh dug. This allows of their sending out fresh roots, and 

 prevents much of the humidity that otherwise would be upon the surface of the 

 beds, if allowed to remain firm and compact on the surface during the winter. 

 The same benefit will arise by digging amongst shrubs at this season. Beds of 

 Pansies from young plants previously struck may now be formed for spring 

 flowering. 



