DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



I. PLEASURE-GARDENING. 



Achimenes. — Give plants now at rest a dry place, and 

 a temperature of about 50°. 



Amaryllis Bulbs. — Keep the deciduous kinds quite 

 dry, and give a very moderate supply of water to the 

 evergreen sorts. 



Annuals. — If you want a good supply of flowers with 

 little trouble, sow a few pots of mignonette, ten-week's 

 stocks, candytuft, etc, now, and a few pots a month or 

 so later. 



Ardisias retain their ornamental red fruit longest 

 when kept rather cool, say from 45° to 55°. 



Astilbe Japonicas. — For earliest bloom start them 

 into growth some time this month. 



Azaleas. — Keep resting plants moderately cool and 

 dry ; but young, early plants in good heat. 



Begonias now in bloom like a sunny position, and a 

 temperature of about 55° to 60°. 



Bo.x-planls used for edging flower-beds, etc. , may be 

 divided and replanted deeply and firmly so long as the 

 ground remains unbroken. 



Bulbs may be planted until the ground freezes. The 

 beds may be protected with a covering of litter, provided 

 you are sure that there are neither field-mice nor moles 

 about. These little animals are quite apt to make beds 

 thus protected their winter quarters. The mice fatten 

 on the bulbs, and find the burrows made by the moles in 

 search for earthworms, etc., quite convenient for hiding 

 and traveling about. A. S. Fuller says that his first ex- 

 perience in mulching beds of bulbs cost him about $80, 

 for out of several hundred bulbs planted in a finely pre- 

 pared bed, only eight remained to bloom in spring; all 

 the others had been eaten up by mice ; the ground, to a 

 depth of a foot, was like a honey-comb from their bur- 

 rowing. As house-plants, bulbs have the advantage of 

 being sure bloomers. When you buy a bulb you buy a 

 flower. Do not hurry them into bloom ; allow the roots 

 to be well in advance of the top growth before being 

 forced. 



Cactus-planls. — Keep them dormant and almost dust- 

 dry until February or March. The more delicate ones 

 may be kept under a glass case. 



Callas approaching bloom require plenty of light, 

 space and water, in order to produce stocky growth and 

 fine flowers. Frequent applications of liquid manure or 

 of soot-water are beneficial. 



Camellias need plenty of air, an even temperature, 

 and light syringings twice a week. 



Carnations in the window keep near the glass, in a 

 cool and airy place. Let the soil be just moist, never 

 really wet. 



Century-plants. — Keep them rather dry and the 

 leaves free from dust. They winter well in heated 

 cellars. 



Clirysanthemuins. — When the plants are out of flower 

 cut down most of the branches, leaving only one or two 

 of the growing ones. If all were removed, cuttings 

 would not be produced freely, and weak or tender sorts 

 would be liable to succumb entirely. In taking out the 

 stakes, fill the holes up with soil in order to prevent the 

 water running into them without being distributed 

 through the soil. Strike cuttings now, if any are desired. 



Cinerarias. — Plants started from seed in June need a 

 final shift to encourage bloom in January. Guard 

 against green-fly. Keep the temperature at 45°, set 

 the plants in a light place, and give air on all suitable 

 occasions. 



Cold-pits containing half-hardy plants need to be 

 aired freely. 



Cyclamens. — Keep growing plants near the glass in a 

 temperature of 50°. Give manure-water to plants in 

 bloom. For early young plants, sow seed in pans near the 

 glass. 



Ei'crffrecn Shrubs liable to sun-scald and injury by 

 winds should be given protection by setting up evergreen 

 boughs around them, especially on the windward and 

 south sides, lightly tying the boughs with a cord near the 

 top. 



Ferneries. — Give air daily, remove decayed leaves, 

 etc., and apply water moderately when it is neeeded. 



Foliagc-plajits cannot well be wintered over in a 

 cellar. Coleus, crotons, achyranthes, and alternan- 

 theras must have light and warmth. A temperature of 

 60° will be warm enough, if they are kept rather dry. In 

 a moist air they need more heat, or they will rot. Fancy 

 caladium bulbs should be dried off, packed in sand, and 

 stored in a quite warm place. 



Forget-7nc-7jots. — For winter flowering, keep the 

 plants in a cold-frame until the holidays, then bring 

 them into heat. 



Frccsias. — Start the bulbs into growth at intervals 

 for a succession of flowers. Increase the supply of 

 moisture as growth advances. 



General Greenhouse Matiagement. — Clean and re- 

 arrange the plants, giving all the light possible. Water 

 judiciously and syringe only on bright mornings, allow- 

 ing the foliage to become dry towards night. Look out 

 for insects. Remove dead leaves and mildewed twigs. 



General House-plant Manaffcmcnt . — For wintering 

 over many plants until another season, the cellar or any 

 other place free from frost will answer very well. Ge- 

 raniums and fuchsias, for instance, unless wanted for 

 blooming, are as well off in the cellar, and are infinitely 

 less troublesome than in a dwelling-room. Geraniums 

 should be cut down nearly to the ground, and then set 

 close together in a box of earth. They will even live if 

 tied in a bundle and suspended from the ceiling in 

 cellars where the air is not too dry. Give such plants 



