191 
OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
The contracted length of daylight, and the diminishing fervour and intensity of the sun's rays 
proclaim the gradual and near approach of the severities of winter. In the more northern and 
elevated counties there is in fact no longer any degree of certainty or security from the withering 
influence of frost, which frequently occurs in the most sudden and unexpected manner, when 
the brightness and glow of summer-like radiance prevents the mind from anticipating evil. In 
all, however, upon v/hom the direction and superintendence of a garden devolves, an unremitting 
watchfulness is required, which is at no time more obviously needful, or more amply repaid, 
than under such a casualty as this. 
Frosts which occur during the present month, rarely last long, or are very severe ; frequently 
they are very partial in their extent, striking the low moist grounds with their paralysing effects, 
whilst the side of an adjacent hill receives no harm. A wall, a tree, a hedge, or any, the most 
trivial protection, frequently preserves a large piece of gi'ound from injury, and as there may in 
all probability, be no recurreuce of them for some weeks, it is the more incumbent on the 
cultivator, to prevent their first attack from destroying the beauty of a summer's labour, when 
so slight exertion may extend the period for its enjoyment. 
The plants upon which these remarks more especially bear, are usually among the principal 
attractions of the flower-garden, and consist chiefly of the tender greenhouse species which have 
been employed to fill the parterre, and grace the lawn. The intervention of a slight screen from 
the north during the night, and if the plants have a frosted appearance in the morning, the 
removing it to the south to intercept the sun from striking upon and warming them too rapidly, 
will generally be sufficient to preserve them from harm. And though on a large scale this may 
be impracticable, yet in the immediate vicinity of the mansion, and in the most pleasing portions 
of the ground, it is extremely desirable. 
Another thing requiring the culturist's attention is the due protection of the plants in pots 
which have been removed from the greenhouse to the open air, to secure them from receiving 
any harm before they are returned to their winter quarters. And it will not be advisable to 
defer this later than the middle of the month on any account, and if the weather should prove 
either wet or very damp, it should be done immediately, that the soil in the pots may not become 
sodden and overcharged with moisture. Each plant must also be examined to see that the earth 
about its roots is free from worms, for they frequently obstruct the drainage, which is so indis- 
pensable in the winter season. If this should be found defective, it will be better to re-pot the 
plant than to risk it through the winter*, with an inefficient passage for superfluous fluid. 
When it is desirable to preserve any of the old specimens that have been planted out in 
borders, through the winter, either for the purpose of ornament to the greenhouse, or merely for 
planting out in the next spring, it will be well to have them potted by the middle or towa,rds the 
close of the month, to enable them to produce fresh roots and become fairly established, before 
the rigours of winter are experienced. Where the necessary room can be commanded, it is prudent 
to retain old specimens of some of the plants commonly employed in the summer adornment of 
the pleasure-garden. Old plants of the Scarlet Pelargonium will flower sooner than young ones 
raised from cuttings ; and these — taken up with their roots reduced so as to occupy as small a 
pot as possible, and the branches which it is presumed spring from the base of the stem, cut 
down to within an inch of their origin— may be placed in some moderately dry and close situation 
that the buds may soon push, and form new shoots. Such plants as are intended to decorate the 
greenhouse in winter with their flowers, must be carefully taken up, and more sparingly subjected 
to the knife, merely removing disproportionate shoots to reduce them to a symmetrical appear- 
ance, and shortening a few of their straggling roots. The neatness of the ground where plants 
are taken away must be maintained, by carefully returning the soil into the holes left by 
their abstraction, and raking it smoothly over ; or, if there is a reserve of hardy, dwarf 
evergreens in pots to cover the nakedness of the borders in winter, each vacancy may be 
filled immediately. 
Propagation must also be continued till the necessary supply of plants for another season is 
procured, and in considering the number, allowance must be made for the casualties which 
invariably destroy many, under the most judicious care, before the winter is past. To avoid 
