192 
OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
varieties of any of the favourite border-flowers by themselves, and fixing the name or equivaler' 
mark to each lot. For when the varieties of such plants as Verbenas for instance, get mixe 
together, it is impossible to make anything of planting a garden in spring. Two or three stron 
plants here and there in a bed otherwise planted with one colour, betrays much negligence, an! 
when often repeated, diminishes the effect of a parterre. All the labels should be examined, ai 
it is the best time now, whilst the flowers are present, to correct any misnomers that may hav 
occurred. 
It will also be well to sow a few seeds of some choice annuals now, to flower early next sprin 
in the greenhouse, or to be then turned out into some warm sheltered border. Towards the eni 
of the month some of the hardier kinds may be sown in the open air ; they will soon appea 
above ground, and if the winter is not very severe, they will exist through it, and flower earlj 
They rarely succeed in wet, retentive soils. On rockwork, or any well-drained piece of groum 
in an airy situation, they will generally do well. 
Means should be got in readiness for protecting any favourite flower, and the plots near tbi 
mansion, from the sudden slight frosts which sometimes occur at this season, and merely last fo 
a night or two. Protection for a single night will sometimes prolong the beauty of the gardei 
for a month or six weeks. There is a greater probability of preserving from frost in this wa; 
when the garden is upon a rising ground, than in one upon a level low site — the early frost 
always being less frequent and less injurious on the former. Oiled calico or canvass, stretchei 
upon slight framework, will be as convenient and economical as anything. j 
Plants which have been turned out into the reserve-beds for the summer season, to hasteif 
growth and form good specimens, should be taken up some time in the course of this month an( 
potted : also any from the flower-garden which may be considered worth preserving. Thei 
should be shifted with as little injury to the roots as possible, instead of shearing off the points, a||i 
some do. It is not necessary, however, to retain all the earth about them ; on the contrary, it i 
better to shake it away from the extreme roots, so that the plants can be placed in pots of a sizr 
proportioned to the extent of the branches, and have an inch and a half or two inches of goo(ii 
fresh earth all round for the roots to strike into. When potted, they should be placed in a closii 
shaded frame, and gently damped over the foliage every morning with a fine syringe, till th» 
roots have taken fresh hold, and are capable of obtaining fluid enough to make good the mcrease( 
transpiration from the leaves, which the removal of the shade and more exposure to fresh ai:j 
would occasion. With this treatment they will experience little harm by the transplantation 
To harden their growth they should then be kept cool and exposed to all the air and light thaj 
can be commanded. Syringing, however, must be continued, to prevent the foliage from droopingj 
When the first frost has struck the Scarlet Pelargoniums and spoiled their beauty, the;| 
should be taken up, all the shoots cut away to within an inch of the base, and the roots reduced 
till they will go into a five-inch pot. If they are then placed in a late vinery where thi5 
atmosphere is kept partially dry, they will soon begin to push out new shoots, and will maki 
better plants in spring than those reared from cuttings. ' 
Much injury to specimen plants results from gardeners at this season crowding too man; 
plants into the houses, and thereby preventing a perfect circulation of air amongst their brancheji 
and foliage. Every specimen should stand clear of its neighbours. The creepers on the roolj 
should be trimmed now, to admit as much light as possible to the plants below them. 
The greenhouse, stove, and orchidaceous house, should be well ventilated, and freed from al| 
shade. The plants may still be stringed in a morning, taking care not to wet the flowersi 
Decaying leaves will now be becoming plentiful, and should be daily removed, together with alj 
flowers that are past their beauty. ;! 
The tops of Chrysanthemums may still be taken off in the early part of the month to obtaiij 
dwarf plants to flower late. They should be taken from the plants growing in the open garden | 
planted singly in pots of light earth, and placed in a gentle bottom-heat. Large plants may bij 
taken up from the borders, and treated as recommended for greenhouse specimen plants till the;! 
recover. Bulbs of the Japan and other lilies should be potted now, to flower at midsummeri 
Cape bulbs may be planted in pots, and set in a cool frame till they have formed roots. Tnsecti, 
must be kept down ; and all alterations in the houses completed at once, and made ready for tht 
reception of the specimens in the reserve-ground. 
