OPERATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 
191 
rightly estimated during the time they are decked with their verdurous ornaments. 
And since this is the case, trees that require retrenching or felling in pleasure- 
grounds, plantations, and woods, and also in the more extensive groups which are 
planted in parks, or constitute the extreme boundary of a demesne, should at once 
be marked, that nothing may be attempted in winter which does not rigidly com- 
port with the beauty of the summer scene. Since there is very little pleasure to 
be derived from an external garden during the more rigorous part of the season, 
and the finer months render it productive of the greatest gratification, it is most 
reasonable to direct the arrangement of its attractions with a view to the attain- 
ment of the highest delight at the proper period ; consequently, our recommenda- 
tion carries peculiar fitness and force. 
In every department of husbandry, and not less in floriculture than in any 
other, September is the fittest time for saving and storing seeds. Annuals, bien- 
nials, and herbaceous plants that bloom in the open ground, with many species 
that require the more constantly genial atmosphere of the greenhouse, usually ripen 
their fruit about the middle of this month, and its preservation must be duly 
provided for. We believe we have somewhere before intimated the importance of 
an occasional examination of seed-bearing specimens, for the purpose of gathering 
the pods singly, as they severally acquire maturity. To the same subject we may 
here revert, and charge all who wish to keep only a few seeds of each sort, to see 
that the best and most perfect are not dispersed by accident ere they think of 
pulling up the entire specimen. It would be superfluous to state that they should 
be collected on a perfectly dry day ; but all may not be so particular to observe 
that, for the close-headed kinds, three or four successive fine days are requisite 
thoroughly to divest them of moisture before being plucked ; and both very dry 
materials to pack them in, and a dry situation for their winter reception, are fully 
as essential. 
Verbenas, herbaceous Calceolarias, and some other plants related to them in 
habit, will, if forthwith potted, and all their flowers picked off, blossom in the 
greenhouse till very late in the year, and supply a charming feature for two or 
three of the dull months. Their propagation, together with that of all other 
species from which it may be desired, can be carried on to any extent according to 
the customary routine. The plants of this sort that were struck last month, are to 
be established and hardened with all possible speed. Chrysanthemums, too, should 
now be looked after, in order to prevent them from towering to too great a height, 
or otherwise growing in a straggling way. For those who are desirous of obtaining 
unusually dwarf specimens, we have been informed, by an experienced practitioner, 
that if, directly the flower-buds show themselves, the tops of the shoots producing them 
are cut off, at any desired length, and planted in a sandy loam, assisted by a some- 
what close moist atmosphere and shade, they will form adequate roots, and flower 
with equal excellence to the specimens not thus decapitated. We have seen plants 
prepared after that plan, not more than six inches high, and admirably suited for 
