DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



I PLEASURE-GARDENING 



Abutilons. — Prune them into shapeliness, and repot 

 those kept in pots for winter blooming, 



Agapanthus. — Give plants in blossom plenty of water. 



Ageratinn. — Hold in check the plants intended for 

 winter-flowering, to avoid exhausting them. 



Annuals. — Do not let them become crowded. Plants 

 having plenty Of room will bloom much more satisfactorily. 



Asters need plenty of food and water. Liquid manure, 

 or a manure mulch will be gratefully received by them. 



Balsams usually develop a great many young shoots. 

 The removal of some of them will improve the plants' 

 appearance and bloom. Plants wanted later for window 

 decoration may now be taken up carefully and potted. 



lioui'ardkis. — Keep plants designed for winter use cut 

 back closely. 



Cactuses. — Give plenty of water during their period cif 

 flowering and active growth. 



Calceola/-ias. — Prick out the seedlings as soon as they 

 can be handled, into pots or pans, placing them in frames 

 under shaded glass. Water and air as needed. 



Camellias require careful treatment in order to pre- 

 vent the dropping of the buds already formed for next 

 winter's bloom. Keep the room cool by shading, sprink- 

 ling and free airing. Water regularly, and syringe the 

 plants at least three times a week. 



Cayidytuft . — Sow seed in frames this month, to pro- 

 vide plenty of bloom for the time when frosts have cut 

 the open-air crop. 



Carfet-Rcds. — Give a thorough watering at least once 

 a week. Clip back too luxuriant growth. Remove 

 promptly all useless flowers, unhealthy leaves, and all 

 weeds. 



Chrysanthemums. — Give plants in pots their final 

 shift. Sprinkle often from overhead. Give water in 

 proportion to the size and strength of the plants. If 

 possible, plunge the pots in a bed of coal-ashes, which 

 will prevent undue variations of temperature and lessen 

 the danger of drying at the roots. 



Cinerarias. — Treat as advised for calceolarias. 



Climbing Plants. — Provide supports, and train as 

 needed. Clip off excessively straggling growth. 



Cyclamens. — Sow seed this month for plants to bloom 

 next year. 



Dahlias. — Trim some of the side shoots, and stake 

 tall growers. 



Euphorbias are all the better for being crowded in 

 pots, if watered frequently and liberally with weak 

 liquid stimulants. Concentrated manures may also be 

 scattered over the surface of the soil. Keep the heads of 

 the plants near the glass in a warm house. 



/•ems. — Keep the tall-growing sorts in check that they 

 may not crowd the smaller ones. You can encourage the 

 latter by giving ample root-room. Tall kinds should 

 have rather small pots or boxes, and a little liquid 

 manure. 



fuchsias make good bedding-plants if set where 

 sheltered from heavy winds and bright sunshine. Give 

 the plants a light rich soil. Sprinkling or frequent 

 spraying will keep down the red-spider. 



General Greenhouse Manageineyit . — Shift all potted 

 plants, such as heliotrope, sweet alyssum, begonias, etc., 

 designed for winter - flowering, promptly as required. 

 Provide moisture and reduce heat by frequently syring- 

 ing the entire inside of the house. 



Gcrctniums. — Grow the plants wanted for winter- 

 flowering in pots during the summer, and keep the 

 flower-buds nipped out. 



House Plants. — Neglect will bring on insects. Aid 

 plant-health by proper watering, cleansing the foliage, 

 removing dead leaves and faded flowers, and repotting as 

 needed. If a few insects appear, notwithstanding this 

 treatment, pick them off by hand. Watering cannot be 

 neglected without serious consequences. In summer the 

 best time to water is towards night. Coolness and moist- 

 ure will then surround the plants until morning. Winter- 

 flowering plants, such as begonias, chrysanthemums, 

 carnations, poinsettias, heliotropes, roses, etc., should now 

 grow rapidly. Pinch them back every few weeks to 

 promote stocky, shapely forms. Shift the potted plants 

 into pots one size larger as soon as the roots begin to mat 

 in their old quarters. Stake fuchsias, cobseas, and other 

 plants promptly, as needed. 



Hydrangeas. — Give plants in bloom an occasional 

 dose of manure-water. Young, especially yearling, plants 

 like partial shade during the summer. 



Lantanas are easily grown as standards, with a stem 

 three or more feet high, by keeping all side shoots down 

 during their period of growth, and until the desired 

 height is reached. 



Lawn Management. — If the season be wet, use the 

 lawn-mower often. Walks should be kept clean of weeds 

 and litter and their edges tidy. Roll them after heavy 

 rains. Sprinkling the lawn in hot weather will tend to 

 keep the premises cool. Stir the soil frequently around 

 all flowering plants in the boi ler, and let no weeds grow. 

 Mulching is a good practice. When you water flower- 

 beds water thoroughly and stir the ground about the 

 plants soon afterward, so that it may not bake. 



Layering. — Most of the perennials in the flower-garden 

 can easily be increased by layering, while many cannot 

 be propagated in any other way. Make a depression in 

 the earth at one side of the plant and bend a vigorous 



