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DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



I. PLEASURE-GARDENING. 



Alyssiim is a most useful house and garden plant, and 

 a good stock should be provided for in season, either by 

 sowing the seed or propagating from cuttings. 



Azaleas maybe had for a longer time in bloom, if part 

 are kept in various degrees of temperature, some for 

 late to be kept quite cool, and others warmer. Those 

 for immediate flowering can have considerable heat, and 

 an abundant supply of water. Plants going out of 

 bloom ought to have a warm place and plenty of water 

 on top and at the root, to induce good growth for ne.xt 

 season. 



Begonias, after blooming, should have the older growth 

 trimmed out, and should be kept rather dry at the roots. 

 After new shoots have started, somewhat later, shake out 

 the present soil, then repot into pots of same size, using 

 fresh soil. To propagate the rex division, take well- 

 matured leaves, and cut the main ribs on the under side 

 at half a dozen or more places, j ust below their dividing- 

 point, lay the pieces on the propagating bench, with a 

 little sand on top to keep them well down. Pot off each 

 piece when roots have formed. The flowering sorts are 

 propagated from cuttings kept rather dry while rooting. 



Borders. — Manure roughly spread over them will pro- 

 tect the roots of perennials, etc., and provide needed 

 plant-food. This will greatly aid in bringing good growth 

 and fine bloom next season. 



Caladiums , and similar tubers, stored for the winter, 

 should be overhauled to make certain of their safety and 

 well-doing. Mice and other enemies often destroy them . 



Callas are subaquatic, and there is very little danger 

 from over-watering, provided the crocks are provided 

 with good drainage. They do not flourish in sour mud. 

 Give them very rich soil, good drainage, plenty of water 

 and plenty of room, and in proper temperature they can 

 not help but do well. 



Camellias. — Give them a temperature of not over 50°. 

 Sponge off leaves several times a week. 



Carnations . — After blooming, clean out and retie the 

 old stalks. Syringing in bright weather will help to 

 clean the plants of red-spider. A little lime-water given 

 once in a while seems to be of benefit. 



Dahlia-roots to be treated like caladium-tubers. 



Ferns. — If those in cases are overwatered. the soil 

 becomes sour. It is always best to keep the cases some- 

 what open for a few days after watering. Airing should 

 be given daily by tilting up the glass when no dust is 

 moving. 



Fuchsias brought from the cellar at intervals for suc- 

 cession of bloom, should be pruned as needed. A week 

 or more later, as new leaves show, repot into light rich 

 soil, using pots a size smaller than those the plants were 

 taken from. 



General Greenhouse Management . — Ice and snow are a 

 fruitful source of glass-breakage. "When the edge of 

 the roof overhangs any kind of lean-to, or the end of 

 an abutting glass-house, an ice-shield should be provided 

 for the winter. For the removal of soft snow, use a 

 light scraper, some three feet long, to ride on the glass- 

 bars. For a shovel, one having a blade fully eighteen 

 inches wide is best. More room between the plants 

 should be given as the days become longer and lighter. 

 Crowding plants never shows them off to good advantage. 

 Estimate the number of pots required, being sure to cal- 

 culate on enough of them, and engage them at once for 

 prompt delivery. Always scrape off and wash old pots 

 before putting new plants into them. Ventilation should 

 be given on all favorable occasions to insure health of 

 the plants. 



General Management of Ifonse-plants . — Where coal 

 is used as fuel, there can be little trouble in keeping up 

 the required temperature. A light wooden frame, of a 

 size convenient to handle and covered with paper on 

 both sides, set between the plants and the glass, will 

 help to keep out cold. In very cold nights a lamp may 

 be kept burning near the plants with benefit. Another 

 good way of giving protection in an emergency, is by 

 placing all movable plants on a table away from the 

 window, and covering them with newspapers. Where 

 but a few plants are kept, scale, mealy bug, etc., may 

 be kept off by hand-picking. A wet sponge or other 

 methods of applying water will keep off red-spider. For 

 the purpose of securing good early plants for spring use, 

 all cuttings of a suitable size can be started in a box of 

 sand in a warm sunny place. Plants to furnish good 

 slips should be kept somewhat pot-bound. 



General La~,vn Management. — Snow often injures de- 

 ciduous and evergreen shrubs, and should be shaken out 

 after every heavy snowfall. A light board shelter placed 

 over each young tree will afford a good protection. 

 When drifted about young trees above the limbs, it 

 should be shoveled away to prevent injury from it on 

 settling. Trellises, labels, arbors, rustic vases, etc., re- 

 quired for next year, should now be made. Cedar can 

 now be had from the swamps while the ground is frozen. 

 Itis most excellent timber for the purpose. Walks ought 

 to be neatly cleaned up after each snow-storm. Scatter 

 salt or ashes over slippery places. 



Geraniums. — Old plants, to be kept in good growth, 

 should in each case be repotted a few days after cuttings 

 have been taken. In the tricolored section nothing suits 

 better than shelves near the glass in a rather dry house, 

 with about 55° of heat. 



Hedges of the deciduous kinds may now be clipped. 



Hyacinths and other Dutch bulbs should now bloom 

 They require sunlight and an abundance of water ; in 



