754 



DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK . 



just water enough to keep them alive, and no more. 

 Azaleas, camellias, sweet-bay and English laurels do 

 not mind a little frost. They may be placea outdoors in 

 a sunken pit from which frost is kept. If they freeze 

 slightly, let them thaw out in the dark, and they will not 

 be harmed. And in the same place orange and lemon 

 trees can be kept, instead of cumbering the dwelling 

 rooms. Heaters in the cellar make it possible to keep 

 many other plants there. The bulbous or fleshy roots of 

 dahlias, caladiums and cannas require a rather dry place. 

 If damp they rot in a cool cellar, and they start to grow 

 in a warm one. Cover the roots with sand or earth, that 

 Ihey may not shrivel up and lose vitality. 



Geraniums.— Kae-p plants near the glass, and rather 

 dry, thus avoiding spot diseases. 



Grecn-fly. — Precautionary measures should not be 

 neglected. Burn tobacco-stems regularly, or strew them 

 thickly over the ground about plants. 



I/eliotropes. —Giwe liquid-manure to plants in bloom. 



Heaths need a moderate temperature, and careful 

 watering and airing. 



Hyacinths. — When the pots are well filled with roots, 

 bring them into heat, in succession. Increase the moir- 

 ture supply as growth proceeds. 



Hydrayigea horlcnsis keeps well in a warm cellar. 

 Its bloom will only be hastened if it pushes into growth 

 toward spring. 



Laivn Management . — This is a good time for drain- 

 ing, making walks, drives, etc. To keep lawns in good 

 condition, fertilizers should be applied every year. 

 Wood-ashes, bone-dust, guanos, well-rotted compost — 

 all can be applied liberally now. Pile the dry leaves to- 

 gether in fence corners and depressions, and haul them 

 under shelter. They will come handy for bedding and 

 absorbents, for mulching purposes, and also for com- 

 posting in the preparation of leaf-mold. Gather and 

 store stakes and other plant-supports for next season's use. 



Lilies-q/'-the-l'atUy ioT early iorcing may be brought 

 into heat the last of the month. 



Mirabilis. — Roots taken up and stored in dry sand 

 away from frost, may be used for another season. 



Oleanders and similar plants kept in cellars require 

 only enough water to keep them alive. There is but lit- 

 tle evaporation from leaves not in active growth ; but 

 they like some light. If possible place them near the 

 window. 



Orchids. — Cypripediums, dendrobiums and most other 

 orchids are now ready for rest. Let the house get cool- 

 er, and keep it rather dry. Oncidiums, zygopetalums, 

 and others flowering this month, or having not yet com- 

 pleted their growth, put by themselves in a shady, some- 

 what dry and only moderately warm situation. Give 

 plants at rest a temperature of 50° by night and 60° by day. 



Oxalis Bulbs that show signs of sprouting must be 

 repotted and given water freely. 



Pelargoniums. — When new growth is an inch long 

 repot plants that were cut down, using pots of the old 

 size or smaller ones, but giving fresh soil. 



Poinsettias. — Keep in brisk heat, with heads near the 

 glass. 



Pitlosporums. — Treat as directed for oleanders. 

 Propagation. — Pot young cuttings as soon as they 

 show roots. 



Rhododendrons. — Give them a mulch of coarse, partly 

 rotted leaves. 



Roclicries. — Some plants, especially delicate Alpine 

 sorts, often suffer from superfluous moisture during 

 winter. Pot such plants, and set them in frames until 

 spring. 



Roses. — Give all beds a dressing of half-decayed ma- 

 nure. Protect the more tender kinds by winding and 

 tying straw around them, or by bending them over and 

 covering them with soil or sods. 



Seed-sozuing. — In locations having mild winters 

 many annuals, such as mignonette, larkspur, sweet-pea, 

 candytuft, etc., can be sown outdoors for early spring 

 flowering. 



Shrubs. — Mulch them with a thick layer of leaves, 

 or better, fine compost. 



Pruning. — We believe in a free use to of the knife 

 on all soft-wooded plants that were lifted. Remove yel- 

 low leaves and old flower-stems wherever they appear. 



Verbenas. — Keep them cool and well aired. Guard 

 against over-watering and mildew. 



Violets. — Air freely in all suitable weather. Remove 

 dead and decaying leaves. Parma violets are a treasure 

 when their surroundings suit them, and they bloom well 

 in autumn, winter and spring. They like a cool, rather 

 shady situation. 



IVateritig is easily overdone in these dark days. To 

 water only just enough to keep the plants from wilting 

 is a safer way than to keep the soil soaked all the time. 

 Be sure that the drainage is perfect. 



II. GARDENING for TABLE AND MARKET. 



Asparagus-Forcing. — Lift old roots and store them 

 in any place easily reached when they are wanted during 

 winter. For very early use a few plants may now be 

 started under the greenhouse benches. 



Blackberries. — Sorts not hardy in one's locality 

 should be laid down, and covered with just enough soil 

 to hold them in place, Apply a top dressing of manure, 

 or of bonedust, ashes, etc. 



Cabbages. — Plants in cold frames should be aired free- 

 ly and kept cool. Heads intended for winter and spring 

 use, if not yet taken in or protected from severe freezing, 

 must now be cared for. Do not cover them too deeply, 

 nor store them in too warm a place. 



Carrots. — Store them in cellars or pits. If in cellars, 

 keep the roots covered with sand or sod, to prevent wilting. 



Celery.— Store the late crop in cellars, root-houses, or 

 trenches. If in the cellar, leave some soil adhering to 

 the roots of the plants, and stand them close together 

 upon the moist earth of the cellar floor. Keep the tops 

 dry and out of reach of frost and the roots moist. 



Drainage. — Water should not be allowed to stand in 

 the orchards. Trees cannot endure cold feet. In level 

 clay soils, surface drainage may be provided by well- 

 made furrows in the center between each two rows of 

 trees, but the best way to drain is to lay lines of tiles 

 several feet deep. 



