192 
OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
plants. It is well worth while doing this, for painful experience has taught us that a few hours' 
frost only often occurs in the beginning of the month, and is succeeded by weeks of weather remark- 
able for its absence, and which at once destroys the chief beauty of the flower-garden, if no steps 
are taken to ward off or afterwards counteract its injurious effects. Have regard to general 
keeping : there are now more decayed flowers and herbaceous stems to remove, more thinning 
and shortening the shoots of masses of plants than hitherto, more frequent dressing and cleaning 
in general to attend to ; the falling leaves also begin to be somewhat troublesome ; their presence 
must, notwithstanding, continually be dispensed with. Do justice to all late-flowering plants, not 
permitting them to suffer for the want of good management ; encourage and stimulate them to 
bloom, and display it to the greatest advantage. Dahlias are in their prime this month ; let them 
have requisite attention accordingly ; be well secured against injury from wind, and have insects 
which despoil their flowers entrapped. Proper cuttings will readily strike in gentle heat now, 
and plants of the rarer kinds should be so raised, as they can be kept where security from frost is 
certain, and that is not always the case with the main tubers. In saving seed for raising new 
varieties, choose that of semi-double flowers, such as have good petals, and are good and pure in 
colour. 
Towards the end of the month those beds in the flower-garden, if free from the present occu- 
pants, Avhich it is proposed to fill with plants or bulbs, to flower in winter or spring, may be broken 
up and occasionally stirred, to expose the soil to atmospheric influences to the greatest extent 
previous to their being planted. The preparation of beds for Tulips, and other things of a similar 
and choice description, must also be thought of. 
In the plant domain, presuming the erections which are at once their refuge and home have 
undergone the usually necessary painting, cleaning, &c, and the heating apparatus put in order, 
those plants which have been placed in the open air may begin to be returned to their winter 
quarters. But the state of the weather will best regulate these proceedings. If heavy rains or 
cold is predominant, the various collections must be housed without delay ; if the reverse is the 
case, the end of the month may arrive and find the last instructions unheeded. When the general 
housing does take place, the plants at first must be favoured with all the air that can be given 
them, and not have the least superabundance of moisture. The same principle of treatment may 
be extended to all plants, save those which are actively growing. Orchids are greatly benefited by 
free exposure to light and air, in favourable weather, at this season. Behave kindly to the inflo- 
rescences of this tribe, as indeed to that of all plants. Diligently exterminate all insects, as the 
various plants which may be affected with them are arranged in their winter quarters. The tops 
of Chrysanthemums struck from cuttings, or by layering, early this month, form pretty dwarf- 
flowering plants. 
The end of the month may find some bulbs potted for early flowering, and a few Pinks, 
Roses, &c, put to be gently forced, Pot, or plant in beds, Carnation layers, young biennials raised 
from seed, struck hardy perennials, &c. Avoid stimulating all plants to grow which should be 
at rest, and induce those which may be growing to cease doing so as soon as it can safely be done. 
