1874. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR OCTOBER. 
239 
Orchids: Discontinue over-head syringing, although many plants will yet 
be making growth. It will be necessary to lower the night temperature a 
few degrees, ventilating more freely, so as to induce thorough maturation ; and 
although it is advantageous to keep Aerides and Odontoglossums, &c., always 
moist at the root, anything approaching excess will be injurious after this period. 
Water moderately Calanthes which are now pushing up their flower-spikes, and 
take every means to keep the leaves fresh as long as possible. 
Forcing-house: Successional batches of Bulbs must be introduced from time 
to time ; these may be grown in comparatively small pots for very early forcing. 
Pot up a good supply of Lily of the Valley^ either strong clumps from beds, or 
imported ones will answer best, if the others are not particularly strong. Asiilbe 
{SpircecL) japonica is also a plant that should be grown in quantity ; although it 
does not force well early, or before the new year, it is one of our most valuable 
plants ; I find English-grown roots to force quite as well as imported ones. 
Introduce by degrees the various subjects to be brought forward. 
Keep Bedding Stock fully exposed as long as the weather will permit, and 
prepare frames for the protection of all but hardy plants. Have everything in 
readiness to afford protection from frost. Propagate in cold frames CcUceolariw-^ 
Viokis^ &c. Pot Solanums and Campanulas that have been planted out. A 
supply of root-cuttings of the fleshy roots of C. pyramidalis should be put in for 
planting out next spring.— Geo. Westland, Willey Court. 
FRUITS. 
Pines: A steady bottom-heat of from 75° to 80° should be kept to the suc¬ 
cession-plants, and the top-heat from 70° to 75°, according to the state of the 
weather. Admit air at every favourable opportunity, closing early in the after¬ 
noon. Pot suckers as they are taken from the stools. See previous directions 
for the fruiting-pits. 
Peach-house: When the trees are entirely clear of leaves in the early house, 
they may be pruned, the borders forked over, and a liberal dressing of rotten 
manure and loam placed on. If the trees are in a weakly state, either from over¬ 
cropping or other causes, the borders should have a good soaking of liquid 
manure. 
Vinery: Keep a dry airy atmosphere about ripe Grapes, applying a little fire- 
heat in the day-time in damp weather, but giving air at the same time. Look 
frequently over the bunches, and cut out all decayed berries. If very early grapes 
are desired, the Vines in the early house may now be pruned, and preparations 
made for closing the house by the end of the month. If Pot-Vines are used for 
early work, the first lot should be placed in a gentle, moist heat, about the same 
time. 
Melons: If the melon-pits are heated, and any fruit remains unripe, a little 
fire-heat should be used. Very little can be done with them in dung-beds, after 
this time. 
Strawberries in pots should be kept in the open and moderately dry, which 
will check their growth, and help to ripen their crowns. If heavy rains should 
prevail at the end of the month, turn the pots over on their sides. 
Hardy Fmit: 'The prevalence of dry weather in many parts during the latter 
part of the summer will tend to hasten the maturity of the winter fruit, and 
many varieties may consequently require gathering earlier than usual. Keep, 
therefore, a watchful eye on all autumnal varieties. The long-keeping Apjfies 
and Pears should be allowed to remain on the trees as long as they will hang with¬ 
out dropping, or as the weather appears to favour their maturity. Indeed, it is pre- 
