191 
OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
The cultivation of flowers, except in those cases where success is purely acci- 
dental, and with wliich, under the same treatment, failure is just as likely to be 
experienced on a future occasion, is seldom attended with the desired results, unless 
what we would call a preparatory mode of management is adopted. We use this 
term as signifying, that it is by preparing plants beforehand for what they may be 
expected to be called upon to endure, that the most satisfactory consequences will 
be realized. 
As an illustration in point, let us refer to the winter which will soon be stealing 
upon us, with its possibly long-protracted rigours, and the utility of now bringing 
each specimen into such a state as will best capacitate it for sustaining those rigours 
without detriment. If, upon the occurrence of a lengthened and severe frost, it be 
discovered — as it most likely then will be if proper precautions be not taken — that 
certain plants are in a succulent and feeble condition, from excess of moisture or 
superfluity of growth during autumn, it will then be in vain that measures are 
employed to improve them. But if, in anticipation of such a circumstance, the 
culturist now bestirs himself, and checks all additional growth, besides keeping 
every plant from becoming too moist, he will thus act the part of a true philosopher, 
repress the evil in the bud, and at a time when alone it will yield to his efixDrts, and 
save himself much extra trouble, as well as anxiety and chagrin. 
In pursuance of this practice, it will now be necessary to watch all Heaths and 
other greenhouse small-wooded shrubs that may be breaking into a second growth, 
or beginning again to develop shoots, after having been before decapitated, and to 
pinch off every branch as soon as it is half an inch or an inch long. This plan 
cannot be too strongly advocated. Water, too, should be less liberally given 
to all kinds of in-door plants, particularly to those of a succulent character ; and 
the chief object should be to keep them from flagging, without ever exciting them 
to grow. Air and light, also, must be allowed to act freely on most species, in 
order to harden their wood, and assist in inducing a state of repose. But it is 
injudicious to leave the lights of houses or frames off constantly, either during the 
day or night, as heavy showers which may be falling at this season, or any con- 
tinuous rain, would injure the plants by saturating them with water. 
To carry out further the system already proposed, all greenhouse or stove 
species which have been exposed to the open air ought at once to be housed ; not 
that it is yet becoming too cold for them, or that there is positive danger from 
nocturnal frosts, but because the dampness of the atmosphere and the fall of rains 
may bring the soil into that wet, sodden condition which it will be so difficult to 
relieve it from, and which is so much to be deprecated. Whatever tender plants, 
of which it may be desirable to retain the old specimens, happen to have been 
