144 



CALENDAR OF GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR NOVEMBER. 



The plant-stoves ought now to be kept to about 60 degrees by fire-heat 

 during the night, giving air every fine day when the thermometer gets up to 65 

 or 70 degrees. Steam them every evening, and occasionally give the plants a 

 slight watering with the syringe when the leaves of the plants are observed to be 

 getting parched. If the red spider be in the house, they may be destroyed by 

 putting some sulphur on the flues or pipes. Greenhouse plants are apt to damp 

 off during this month, and should therefore be watered with great care in order 

 to avoid wetting the leaves ; at the same time, they ought to have abundance of 

 air in fine weather. Fires must be lighted during the night if sharp frost sets in, 

 but not more than may be sufficient to keep the frost from settling upon the 

 inside of the glass. Ixias and other Cape bulbs must now be repotted into fresh 

 soil. Fresh surface the other plants if necessary. The more tender of the hardy 

 alpines will require to be placed in cold frames, giving them plenty of air by 

 drawing off the sashes during the day in mild dry weather. The frames for pro- 

 tecting alpines are better placed facing the north, east, or west, but never to face 

 the south, as the less sun they get the better. If plunged in sand in the frames, 

 they will scarcely require any water during this month. The other alpine plants 

 in pots out of doors may have branches of broom &c. stuck here and there 

 amongst them, which will considerably break the winds, as well as be a slight 

 protection from frost. Flower-beds will be better for being dug over if time can 

 be spared, as the plants will resist the severity of the winter better with a light 

 open surface than where the soil is firm and compact. All herbaceous plants 

 may now be cut close down. Chrysanthemums should be protected that are in 

 pots by being placed in pits, frames, or in the greenhouse, giving them plenty of 

 air as long as the weather continues mild, otherwise they are apt to get drawn 

 up and become unsightly. Those against walls may have some shelter put 

 against them when the nights are frosty. 



