DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



761 



by regular fumigating, and frequent syringing in the 

 greenhouse. Mulching plants with tobacco stems, or 

 spreading the latter among the plant pots, will also 

 prove a great help. 



Ivy and other suspended plants should have their leaves 

 washed occasionally with a soft cloth and warm water 



Lanta7ias to be given a light place, and a temperature 

 of about 55°. Guard against red spider. 



La-Lvn Management. — If the soil is not quite rich 

 already, top-dressings of fine, old manure may now be 

 given. Don't put fresh, rank-smelling stuff all over the 

 premises, an offense to the eye as well as to the nostrils, 

 and a nuisance generally. If you have no old manure, 

 use the lawn fertilizers, or any of the high-grade com- 

 plete manures of fertilizer manufacturers, at the rate 

 of 400 or 600 pounds per acre. Hardy flowers on the 

 lawn, although they can endure the winter without pro- 

 tection, will do all the better next year if the roots are 

 covered with hay, leaves or other litter. Walks that 

 are to be used during the winter should be kept clear of 

 snow. If they are muddy, it will be a great improve- 

 ment and a great convenience if a line of plank is laid 

 in the center of each walk. Leaves may now be gathered 

 and secured for future use at any time. 



Lobelias, for strong plants in spring, to be started now 

 from seeds or cuttings. 



Lycopodium now to be divided if fine plants are wanted 

 for next spring. 



Mahernias in bloom to be given a sunny situation 

 from now on. 



Maurandia. — Treat as advised for alyssum. 



Mignonette to be given a sunny situation and an oc- 

 casional dose of liquid manure. Keep near the light, 

 and stir the surface soil from time to time. 



Orchids require close attention. Those inclining to 

 grow should be given a warm, moist situation. Those 

 at rest to be given a rather cool atmosphere, but not 

 less than 50°. 



Palms, if suitable in size, do well in a light window. 

 Keep well watered, and the foliage clean. 



Pelargonium . — Encourage free growth, but avoid 

 over-watering. Pinch back the leading shoots. 



Pittosportim to be kept cool and rather dry. 



Primulas to be watered carefully, and aired freely. 



Propagation. — Cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, ver- 

 benas, and other plants of which stock may be short, 

 should now be made and struck as fast as good wood is 

 available for cuttings. 



Requisites . — Trellises, stakes, vases, hanging-baskets, 

 etc., should be brought under cover, repaired and 

 painted as needed. If soil for potting is yet needed, 

 procure it at once before the ground freezes up solid. 

 Also make hot-bed sash and frames, mats, trellises, 

 rustic work, and the like. 



Rhododendrons to be given a dressing of manure. 

 Winter protection is easily given by setting evergreen 

 boughs, butt-end down, around the plants, and tying at 

 top with stout string. 



Roses in bloom to be syringed frequently. 



Shrubbery. — Apply well-decayed manure to the beds. 

 Avoid strawy manure, as this attracts mice. In reno- 

 vating old shrubberies, cut out all dead wood, and trim 

 the plants according to their individual requirements. 



Stocks to be cleared of decaying foliage. Guard 

 against greenfly. Renew frequently. Plants sown 

 this month will bloom by next April. 



Thuiibergias in bloom should be given a temperature 

 of about 55°. Syringe freely for red spider. 



Tuberose bulbs should be stored in a warm place, 

 secure from frost and mice. 



Verbenas may now be propagated as fast as good cut- 

 tings can be had, for use next spring. 



Violets. — Remove the runners, and all dead leaves. 



Watering and Washing. — Aim to water just enough, 

 less in cloudy than in bright weather, and preferably 

 in the forenoon only. House plants should be occa- 

 sionally taken off the stands, and given a thorough 

 washing or drenching on a drenching-board, or while 

 standing in a bath-tub. 



II. GARDENING for TABLE AND MARKET. 



Asparagus for early forcing may now be brought in, 

 planted in boxes, and then placed in any warm situation. 



Cabbage plants in cold-frames need free airing in mild 

 weather to keep them dormant. In severe weather 

 cover the frames with mats or shutters. When the 

 plants are frozen, a snow covering will do no harm ; 

 otherwise it should be removed after every snow-storm. 

 Treat cauliflower plants the same way. 



Celery stored in trenches for late winter or spring use 

 should be given additional protection by putting on 

 more leaves, marsh hay or other litter. 



Cuttings of gooseberries, currants, etc., planted in 

 autumn, to have protection by covering with evergreen 

 boughs or other litter. 



Datzdelions for forcing to be planted in boxes, and 

 placed in a sunny situation. 



Drainage is absolutely necessary for best results in 

 orchards, small-fruit patches and gardens. Where de- 

 fective, it should now be provided for. Tile drainage 

 is usually by far the best of all methods. 



Fences are needed around young orchards. Without 

 them they are in constant danger from browsing farm 

 animals carelessly or intentionally left at large. A 

 barbed wire on top can often mend a rather shaky fence 

 so that it will be quite serviceable. 



Fertilizers of all kinds needed for next year's opera- 

 tions to be procured in good season, and full supply. 

 In many places you have an opportunity to buy good 

 compost or fresh stable manure at less than one dollar 

 a load. At this rate it is cheaper than any so-called 

 "commercial" fertilizer in the market. Make your 

 bargain at once and stand ready to profit by the first 

 good sleighing, or by the first spell of good roads to haul 

 it. Spread at once in orchard and small-fruit patches ; 

 or compost it for garden use. 



Grapes need pruning at once. Unfasten the vines 



