FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
3 
compost should be half loam from the top six 
inches of a meadow, and half thoroughly 
decomposed cow dung, which should be put 
together without delay, and be frequently 
turned over. 
Dahlias should be examined, if they are 
kept in a dry state, and can be got at, and 
any that are required to be much propagated, 
should be set to work towards the end of the 
month, by potting the root, with the collar 
or crown of the tuber just above the soil. If 
any are found to be rotting, cut out the 
damaged part close and clean, and if the plant 
be at all in danger, pot it, and set to work as 
soon as possible, that you may obtain cuttings. 
It frequently happens that a cutting will push 
and may be saved, and the plant or tuber die 
altogether before it can throw out any more. 
A common hot-bed may be made up with 
some stable dung as directed in the kitchen 
garden, and the pots, with the tubers in, can 
be placed in it at once. When any of them 
have shot out two or three inches, the cuttings 
should be taken off just below the lower joint, 
the two bottom leaves be cut off, and the 
cutting placed in a small sixty-sized pot, close 
to the side of the pot, and be put into the 
same hot-bed, then it will strike in the course 
of two or three weeks, and make handsome 
early plants. The general collection of Dahlias 
must not be propagated yet, as it would be 
very inconvenient to keep them all, and they 
would be too forward. 
Flowering Trees and Shrubs. — The 
planting of these may be proceeded with 
every month from September to March, but 
the earlier the better; nevertheless there is no 
real disadvantage in planting this month and 
next, except for those which bloom remark- 
ably early. The plants in the shrubbery may 
be trimmed up into form, where they have 
grown straggling ; and if any have become 
too ragged and bare at the lower part to look 
well, you may plant something bushy before 
them ; or if you can select any good upright 
stem that would form a good standard, you 
may cut the rest of the plant away. In plant- 
ing shrubs and trees, be careful in the taking 
up; save every fibre, but be not anxious to 
bring away large balls of earth; plants that 
come out of peat mould, as Americans, and 
some others, are exceptions ; here the larger 
the ball the better; for they may live for 
years without the roots getting beyond it. 
Make your holes large enough to spread ordi- 
nary roots out all round the tree or shrub; 
loosen the bottom, and see that the earth you 
throw in again is moderately dry or crumbling, 
that it may get between all the roots and make 
a solid bearing for the tree. When the hole is 
filled up, tread it well down all round, that 
the tree may be firmly fixed, and, if necessary, 
place stakes sloping towards il, from three < v 
four sides, to meet in the middle, so that by 
bandaging them with a hayband, the wind 
cannot disturb it. This precaution is only 
necessary when the free is large enough to 1;-; 
operated upon by wind; all ordinary shrubs, 
of moderate growth, will do without stake . 
Turf and Lawns generally. — Turfs will 
lay down in good weather as well this month 
as any other, and is one of the most beautiful 
features in a well kept and well laid out 
garden. These turfs are cut in three feet 
lengths, one foot wide, and before they are 
laid down, the ground should be levelled, or 
made very even on the surface, and well rolled, 
that it may be solid; the turfs should be 
cut all of a thickness, and the work is easy. 
They must be laid very close to each other; 
they are unrolled and laid side by side, each 
row being pushed close with the back of a 
rake ; and when done, they should be beaten 
down well, and rolled with a heavy roller. 
Should the weather prove dry, they should 
be well soaked with water, and rolled again. 
A lawn as even as a carpet may be made in a 
day ; and as green and smooth as if it had been 
made for years before it has been down as 
many weeks. 
Herbaceous Plants, Biennials, &c, may 
be planted in the beds and borders; though 
they had better be put out earlier, yet there 
may be no ill effects result if they are planted 
carefully. 
Alterations of all kinds may be made, 
where it is desirable, new beds, borders, and 
clumps may be formed, and box edgings may 
be made. These things require mild, open, 
dry weather ; for the least attempt to work in 
a garden whet the ground is wet, is unwise; 
it closes the earth to trample on it ; no plant 
can be made secure in the planting; every- 
thing is uncomfortable, and no operation can 
succeed properly. It is essential to clean 
w r ork that the ground work easily; and nine 
times out of ten the time spent in a garden 
under unfavourable circumstances is time lost, 
and not unfrequently plants and shrubs are 
damaged also. 
Bulbous Roots of all kinds should be in 
the ground or potted long before this ; but if 
any are left out of ground they must be dis- 
posed of directly one way or the other, or 
they will perish, if they are not spoiled 
already. 
Manure may be laid on the ground where 
it is to be used, and may be dug or trenched 
in wherever the soil is in working condition. 
All vacant spaces should be dug and left in 
ridges, especially ground intended for Dahlias, 
and for the usual bedding out plants. Pro- 
tection should be given to half-hardy and 
tender plants generally. 
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