DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



I. PLEASURE-GARDENING. 



Abutilons. — Be sure to house all plants before frost. 

 Prune as needed. 



Annuals. — There may be some plants in the border of 

 especial value for house-culture. Take them, up with a 

 ball of earth, and pot them carefully. 



Aspidistras may yet be increased by division. Use 

 small pots and quite sandy soil. 



Azaleas like a cool, airy place and perfect drainage. 

 Water them carefully. 



Begonias. — Dry ofi the tuberous-rooted ones and 

 store them in a frost-proof place. To other flowering 

 kinds give plenty of water, light and room. Rex bego- 

 nias like a somewhat shady position, and moderate 

 watering. 



Boui'ardias thrive well enough in a rather cool tem- 

 perature. Usually 55 or 60 degrees suits them best, but 

 even 50 degrees will suffice, only their flowers will be 

 later. 



Broivallias. — Put potted plants in a light, cool place, 

 and air them freely. 



Bulbs. — Hardy kinds may be planted outdoors as long 

 as the ground is not frozen, but the sooner the work is 

 done the more satisfactory will be the results. To this 

 class belong the hyacinth, tulip, narcissus, iris, crown- 

 imperial, Lilium longijiorum, snowdrop, etc. Bulbs 

 may now be started in pots for house-culture. Hya- 

 cinths are frequently grown in glasses, preferably in 

 dark ones. They can be had of all seedsmen. Select 

 solid, heavy bulbs, the single kinds being best and bloom- 

 ing earliest. Fill each glass with clear water to within 

 yi of an inch of the bulb. Wrap the glasses in cloth or 

 paper and set them in a cool dark closet, that the roots 

 of the bulbs may develop like those of potted plants. 

 When the roots begin to grow freely set the glasses in a 

 light window, and add water as required to keep its sur- 

 face Yi of an inch below the bulb. 



Caladiiims . — After the first frost the leaves should be 

 removed and the roots dug a few days later, dried and 

 stored in a cool place. 



Calceolarias. — Plants grown from seed may need re- 

 potting by this time. Keep them near the glass, water 

 carefully, air freely, guard against insects, and thus 

 encourage these and similar seedlings to make strong 

 and healthy growth. 



Cannas. — Treat as advised for caladiums. The roots 

 keep best in dry sand. 



Chrysanthemums now need plenty of room. Give 

 them liquid manure twice a week until the flowers begin 

 to color. Thin the buds of large-flowering kinds. Dur- 

 ing the flowering season the house should be kept mod- 

 erately dry. 



Chinese Primroses like moderate heat and a moder- 

 ate supply of light and water. In the blooming season 

 give them occasional doses of liquid manure. 



Cinerarias grown from seed treat as directed for cal- 

 ceolarias. 



Cyclatnens, to be prepared for blooming, need a warm, 

 light place. 



Dahlias. — Remove the tops after frost, and a few 

 days later dig, dry and store the roots. They keep well 

 when treated like ordinary potatoes. 



Ferns like a cool place. 



General Directions for House-Plants. — Give air on 

 all suitable occasions. Annuals lifted from the borders 

 may now be used freely to enliven the window and con- 

 servatory. All lifted plants should be lightly sprinkled 

 several times a day until they have fully recovered from 

 the shock received. Gradually accustom all window- 

 plants to the shade and close atmosphere by keeping 

 them on the veranda or under a light shed as long as 

 the weather will permit. When first taken in, put them 

 in a moderately warm place. 



General Greenhouse Management. — Fumigate the 

 houses twice a week. Use the syringe freely for red 

 spider. Remove scale and mealy-bugs by washing. On 

 fine days open the ventilators to their fullest height. 

 Avoid artificial heat as long as it can safely be done. 



Geraniums. — Plants to be wintered over for spring 

 must be cut back closely, then potted and stored in a 

 good dry cellar. Geraniums that were kept from bloom- 

 ing up to this time are now in shape for giving an abun- 

 dance of flowers. The ivy-leaved sorts are especially 

 suited for house use. 



Hanging Baskets. — Clean empty baskets and vases 

 and store them away. 



Heliotropes. — For free early bloom keep them in a 

 temperature of from 55 to 60 degrees, and syringe them 

 freely. During their period of rapid growth frequent 

 doses of manure-water will be of benefit. 



Hydrangeas. — To have a fine plant for house-use, 

 pot a dormant Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora in 

 good soil ; cut it back close to some good buds, place it 

 in a cool position, and afterwards bring it to light and 

 warmth. Water and syringe as needed. 



Lantanas. — Lift and pot plants for spring flowering. 



Lazun Management. — Defective places may now be 

 repaired by sodding. Fill in depressions and cover 

 them with sods cut from an old pasture where free from 

 bad weeds and coarse grasses. Cut the sods about a 

 foot wide, three or four feet long, and two and three- 

 quarter inches thick. Roll them up for better handling, 

 lay them evenly, with close joints, filling under or cut- 

 ting away the edges as needed to give an even surface. 



