DICTIONARY Of SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



amaryllis, fuchsias, geraniums and many other plants 

 bloom much better if a little root-bound. When you 

 first pot young plants, avoid having the soil too strong. 

 Many plants have been killed by being put into soil 

 stronger than they could stand. The desire to have 

 plants grow quickly is often the cause of this. Have 

 good, porous soil for the first potting, then when the 

 plant requires shifting give stronger soil. 



Geraniums. — Keep them near the glass and rather dry. 



Heliotropes. — Encourage new growth in order to 

 secure plenty of bloom. Never allow the plants to be- 

 come root-bound. Give them a warm place, otherwise 

 they will not bloom well. 



House-Plant Management . — Give all plants plenty of 

 air during this month, selecting the warmest hours of 

 the day, say from ii until 3 o'clock, for opening the 

 windows. Take the chill off water before using it on 

 plants, and guard against over-watering Many plants, 

 like the heliotropes, require a good deal of sunshine to 

 bloom well ; others need a certain amount of it, but do 

 not like too much of its extreme heat during the middle 

 of the day, as the geranium. The entire stock should 

 be given an occasional cleaning. Dust and impurities 

 on leaves and stems may be sponged ofi daily. Avoid 

 extremes of temperature. Prune freely all soft-wooded 

 plants that were lifted, to promote health and beauty. 

 Bulbs of all kinds may still be planted for window flow- 

 ering, but don't forget to put them in the dark for a few 

 weeks before setting them in the window. 



Hydrangeas. — Keep them dormant in the cellar, giv- 

 ing but little water. 



Ivy. — The English ivy likes a rich soil and shady lo- 

 cation. Keep the leaves clean by frequent sponging. 



Ivy-leaved Geranium. — For fall bloom, use rather 

 small pots. Unless root-bound, this plant will not 

 flower profusely. 



Lazun Alanagement . — There will be no further use 

 for the lawn-mower. Thin places on the lawn can be 

 materially improved, and the whole lawn benefited for 

 another season, by applying a good top-dressing of fine 

 compost, or perhaps a coat of wood-ashes and bone- 

 meal, or complete 'fertilizer. Use these manures as 

 freely as your purse will allow, to the extent of a ton of 

 high-grade fertilizer to the acre, or other manures in 

 proportion. Collect and burn all rubbish. Stake and 

 tie small trees and plants likely to be injured by high 

 winds. Collect the dry leaves ; they will come handy as 

 mulches, or as absorbents in the stable. Apply a good 

 coat of compost to the borders planted with bulbs. 



IJlies-of-the Valley. — For early flowering, bring plants 

 into heat by the end of the month. 



JMahonias and other large-leaved evergreen shrubs 

 are subject to injury by sun-scald and wind. Set ever- 

 green boughs around them, especially on the windward 

 and the sunny sides, and secure them by tying. 



Mignonette. — If plants are desired for winter and 

 spring bloom, sow seed in pots. 



Mulching shrubs, herbaceous perennials, etc., is a 

 good practice. Leaves are first-class mulching material, 

 but they should be held in place by the trimmings of 



shrubs and trees. Use no material for mulching that is 

 liable to invite mice. 



Narcissus. — This is one of the sweetest and loveliest 

 of spring flowers. Plant bulbs among and under shrub- 

 bery, and leave them undisturbed for some years. 



Oleanders. — Store in the cellar. 



Oleafragra7is. — This evergreen shrub from China is 

 a good subject for house-culture. Its small, white flowers 

 are quite fragrant. 



Palms, for best success, require deep pots containing 

 good rich soil, thorough drainage, plenty of water, a 

 shady location and frequent syringing over the leaves. 

 Scrub off the scale insect whenever found, by means of 

 a small, stiff brush. 



Plants for Shade. — The following will do for a sun- 

 less window : Begonias, fuchsias, primroses, violets, 

 callas, lilies-of-the-valley, ferns, palms, Kenilworth- 

 ivies, etc. 



Poinsettias. — The earlier ones may be kept pretty 

 warm till the bracts are fully developed, after which they 

 may be placed in the conservatory, or inian intermediate 

 and well-lighted house, where they will last in good 

 condition for a long time, provided they are well at- 

 tended to in the matter of watering and not subjected to 

 cold draughts in ventilating. Later ones should be kept 

 as near the light as possible, to prevent them from getting 

 drawn or turned to one side. The poinsettia likes a soil 

 composed of loam and peat. After it has shed its leaves 

 it requires a period of rest, and therefore should be kept 

 almost dry. It is propagated by cuttings, which require 

 strong heat to root them. 



Pruning. — The general rule to be followed in pruning 

 most shrubs is, to remove old wood rather than new, as 

 the latter is most productive of bloom. In pruning 

 hardy roses, which may be done after November 15, thin 

 the heads out well, leaving no weak or unhealthy growth. 

 Moderate growers should be pruned closely. 



Roses. — Hardy kinds may yet be planted in open 

 ground. Fibrous loam, well-rotted turf, etc., is best for 

 them. After planting, apply a good mulch of manure. 

 The more tender sorts in the border may be laid down 

 for winter protection. Another good plan is to surround 

 the rose-bed with wire-netting, and to fill up inside with 

 leaves, placing some boughs on top. 



Stakes and similar requisites gather up carefully, and 

 store in a safe place for another season's use. 



Street-Trees. — These, and all others that are subject 

 to injury by animals, etc., protect by a guard of wire- 

 screen, or lath and wire. 



Szveet-Peas, mignonette, candytuft, larkspur, and 

 other hardy annuals may be sown outdoors for early 

 spring bloom. 



Tuberoses. — Store the bulbs in a dry, cool, frost- 

 proof place. 



I'o'denas. — The plants recently started from cuttings 

 like a cool situation near the glass, and plenty of air in 

 all suitable weather. Guard against green-fly. 



IVall-Flozvers make fine, fragrant plants for winter 

 bloom, and may be grown in a cool room. They like 

 plenty of water. 



