216 
OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
We are thoroughly convinced of the inexpediency of employing half the fire- 
heat which is usually considered necessary, and we earnestly recommend our 
readers, both on the ground of economy and for the benefit of their plants, to com- 
mence this season by dispensing with as much of it as can be done consistently 
with the safety and health of the plants. • 
Forcing is of course not embraced by the above remarks, and this may be com- 
menced towards the end of the month on roses, kalmias, azaleas, &c, that are 
required to flower about Christmas, but it should always be conducted in pits or 
frames, as a moist bottom-heat may be insured in such situations, which is highly 
favourable, if not essential, to successful results. No plants should be attempted to 
be forced but such as have had at least two months^ previous rest, otherwise the 
display of flowers will be very defective. 
All kinds of plant-houses should be ventilated as much as possible, varying the 
degree of it according to the nature of the plants : this will tend to preserve them 
from damp, and in this respect will supersede the application of fire-heat. No 
plants should be syringed or watered over the leaves at this season, unless for the 
removal of filth which may accumulate on them, in which case they should be care- 
fully dried by placing them in an airy part of the house. Water the roots only 
when the soil exhibits evident signs of requiring it. 
Bulbs that are intended for early flowering, should now be potted, and plunged 
in old bark, covering them with three inches of the same material under the pro- 
tection of a pit or frame ; when they appear above this surface, they should be 
gradually exposed to light, and placed in a gentle heat till they flower, upon which 
they may be removed to any required situation. Amaryllises and other stove 
bulbs intended for the same purpose, should also be potted, and at once placed in 
heat, watering them at first cautiously, but more liberally after they have com- 
menced growing, 
In the flower-garden, beds intended for tulips and other bulbs should be pre- 
pared, and the soil turned frequently to expose it as much as possible to the influ- 
ence of the atmosphere. This will in a great measure dissipate all extraneous and 
injurious matters, and render it much more suitable and nutritive. Pentstemons, 
verbenas, and all half-hardy plants, should be removed to the greenhouse or frame, 
the lights of which latter may be left open in fine weather, taking care to close 
them at night, and during rain, for excessive or continued damp is almost as preju- 
dicial as frost, although its effects are not so immediately visible. Young plants 
of Petunias, common Pelargoniums, &c, should be exposed to the open air when 
the weather is favourable, to prevent them from growing, as the shoots which are 
formed after this period seldom survive the winter, and are frequently the cause of 
destruction to the whole plant. Dahlias should be taken up in fine weather 
towards the end of the month, carefully dried, and stored in straw in a dry and 
convenient place. 
