216 
OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
by the nature of the former. Hydrangeas, Fuchsias, and other deciduous shrubs 
that are inert during the colder months, may be placed in any dry cold position, 
even though light should be partly excluded, without receiving the slightest harm. 
It is indispensable, however, that they be kept just so cold as to prevent them alike 
from growing and from being injured by frost, and that they be put in a lighter 
and more airy position as soon as the leaf-buds begin to open. 
For evergreen shrubs, such as Heaths and the majority of New Holland plants, 
a very diiFerent treatment is demanded. They must be so situated that the light 
and air can play around each, and never have their branches in contact with each 
other, or in any way shade or interfere with those nearest them. Where the extent 
of the collection will not admit of that arrangement, it will even prove much better to 
destroy a portion of the inferior sorts, and place the rest at a reasonable distance 
from each other ; since beauty of specimens, not variety of sorts alone, should be 
the ultimate aim of the culturist. Plants intended for a temporary object, as, for 
example, supplying the flower borders in the following summer, must unavoidably 
be placed closer than the better greenhouse species ; but the more the necessity of 
keeping them apart is perceived and acted upon, the more healthy will they remain, 
and the less liable will they be to perish by damp. 
In the greenhouses, stoves of all kinds, and intermediate structures, the matura- 
tion of the wood of plants, and the promotion of a condition bordering on torpidity, 
should be diligently kept in view. To this end air may be largely admitted on all 
propitious occasions, and water is to be less and less liberally bestowed as the season 
declines. Syringing and shade may be now abandoned, and extraordinary develop- 
ments be sedulously kept in check or removed by pruning. 
Evergreen trees and shrubs can be transplanted with safety about the end of the 
month, as, also, may most of those of a deciduous character. It is the easiest and 
best plan to transfer them while young ; but they may be removed at almost any 
age if taken up with sufficient balls of earth attached to their roots, and the smaller 
rootlets preserved as much as possible from damage. 
Tulips and other bulbs are sometimes planted towards the close of the month. 
The beds prepared for them ought to be frequently turned over prior to their being 
planted in them, and a small quantity of well-rotted manure may be appropriately 
added. 
All tuberous-rooted or bulbous plants should be removed from the soil for a few 
months, in order to prevent them from growing in the winter, or from becoming 
saturated with moisture. They must be carefully dried before being stored, and 
placed where they will neither lose their vital functions by extreme drought or cold, 
nor have them excited by the contrary circumstances. 
Forcing may be commenced, if flowers are desired by Christmas ; annuals can 
be sown in pots for winter-flowering, and Mignonette in boxes for early spring ; 
Eoses may be layered ; the pruning of deciduous hardy climbers can be begun ; 
seeds should be carefully collected ; and night frosts be guarded against wherever 
their influence would be dangerous. 
