12 
CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 
during bright sunny weather, it is often neces¬ 
sary to use increased fire-heat in autumn to 
mature the growth. If insects of any kind 
make their unwelcome appearance, they should 
be promptly dealt with by either dipping the 
plants in soft-soap solution or by sponging, 
taking care not to injure the tender foliage. 
Hothouse.— -As the heat increases, con¬ 
siderable attention will be requisite to keep 
insect pests in check, as they increase and 
multiply exceedingly fast. Mealy-bug is one of 
the most obnoxious of these that the gardener 
has to contend with, but every effort should be 
made to eradicate it. Thin out and regulate 
shoots of Clerodendron Balfourianum, Stephanotis, 
and other stove climbers that they may not 
become overcrowded. Where plants for table 
decoration have to be grown to a considerable 
extent, a suitable selection of these should be 
made and put forward for the purpose. By 
potting them now they will become rvell estab¬ 
lished by autumn, so that there will be less 
risk on removing them to a lower temperature. 
Plants for this purpose should be allowed 
plenty of room, that they may be thoroughly 
developed. Cocos Weddeliana, Cyperus alterni- 
folia variegata, Arabia Veitchii, A. V. gracillima, 
Asparagus plumosus nana, Crotons of sorts, 
Dmccena gracilis, I). rubra, and others of like 
character, Eulalia japonica, Caladium argyrites, 
Pandanus Veitchii, P. javanicus, small plants of 
Ardisia, and othffr berry-bearing species. Seed 
of the Common Asparagus may also be sown 
in pots to supply greenery during the winter 
months. 
Intermediate House. — Celosias, Cocks¬ 
combs, Torenias, and various other free-flower¬ 
ing plants of similar nature that are grown 
for the object of furnishing the conservatory, 
should be potted on as they require it, and 
fresh seed should be sown to provide plants 
to take the place of those which have finished 
flowering. Gloxinia plants in flower should 
be kept rvell shaded from the sun, and any 
varieties that it is thought desirable to increase 
should have some of the best leaves removed 
for this purpose. If these leaves have the 
main ribs cut through with a sharp knife, and 
are then pegged on the surface of pans filled 
with a mixture of finely-sifted peat and sand, 
afterwards being plunged into a moderate hot¬ 
bed, they will soon form corms. These, by the 
end of the season, will have grown large enough 
to make strong plants the follorving year. 
Achimenes and Gesneras should be staked as 
growth proceeds to prevent them bending down. 
Greenhouse and Conservatory. —Most 
of the hard-wooded plants will by this time 
have completed their growth, and may be stood 
in shaded situations out of doors, where they 
will thrive far better during the next three 
months than under the heat of a glass structure. 
Their places may be occupied by some of the 
more tender flowering plants, or for growing 
on Fuchsias, Balsams, Campanula pyramidalis, 
tuberous-rooted Begonias, and similar things 
for decorating the conservatory, as it will be 
necessary to make frequent changes in the 
latter structure at this time of the year, if it 
is to be kept tidy, for, owing to the heat, 
flowers soon fade, and on that account necessi¬ 
tate constant removals. 
Pits and Frames. 
This is a good time to layer Perpetual Carna¬ 
tions for winter flowering. If the pots can 
be plunged to their rims in an old hot-bed, and 
plenty of room allowed between them, so that 
the shoots can be brought down and pegged 
into the soil, they will soon take root. When 
layered they should be well watered, and after¬ 
wards covered with the lights and shaded from 
the sun. Plants rooted from cuttings in early 
spring will need potting on, and either standing 
on a bed of ashes in the open, or in a cold 
frame, where they can be protected in case of 
heavy rain. 
Mignonette for winter flowering should now 
be sown. If the weather be hot and dry, shade 
till the seedlings appear above the soil. Zonal 
Pelargoniums for winter flowering should also 
be put into their permanent pots, and after¬ 
wards stood on a bed of ashes in the full sun¬ 
light. Heliotropes, Bouvardias, Primulas, and 
Cinerarias will need attention, as the plants 
become sufficiently large to be shifted, for if 
they are permitted to get pot-bound, they sel¬ 
dom make much further progress. Cuttings of 
Hydrangea hortensis, Otaksa, and Thomas Hogg, 
should be inserted in cold frames to supply 
plants which will flower early in spring. Pot 
on Eupatorium, Linum trigynum, and other 
plants of similar habit for winter blooming. 
Sow seed of Cyclamen and Calceolaria where 
early plants are required. 
Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 
Make another sowing of Sweet-peas at the 
commencement of the month to give a late 
supply of bloom, also sow seed of Brompton, 
East Lothian, and other Stocks, various her¬ 
baceous plants, such as Aquilegias, Delphiniums, 
