16 
CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Violets for winter flowering must be put 
into their permanent positions not later than 
the middle of the month. This Avill ensure 
their getting firmly established while there 
remains sufficient heat in the soil to induce the 
formation of young roots. Herbaceous Calceo¬ 
larias sown last month will now be large enough 
for pricking out. The sooner this is done the 
better, to prevent the plants from damping. 
Tuberoses which have been reared in pits or 
frames in the summer should be taken into the 
greenhouse as their flower-spikes appear. Cycla¬ 
men should be potted on for a succession, and 
towards the end of the month another sowing 
may be made. 
Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 
Proceed with the propagation of hardy border 
plants such as Iberis, Helianthemums, Litho- 
spermums, Dianthus, Phloxes, &c., by taking 
the young side-growths and inserting them in 
sandy soil in a cold frame. Where not already 
done take cuttings of Violas for spring flowering, 
also Pentstemons, Antirrhinums, &c., for the 
sooner these are rooted the more surely will 
they withstand the winter. 
Pay attention to tying and staking plants in 
the herbaceous border that still keep in bloom 
or have not yet flowered, as the strong winds 
generally prevalent are apt to break them down. 
Lulbs of all kinds may be planted when the 
ground is vacant, but as most beds will still be 
occupied this may be deferred till next month. 
Grass on lawns usually grows luxuriantly this 
month, weeds accumulate rapidly, and leaves are 
also troublesome; but for the sake of appear¬ 
ances all must be so attended to that the garden 
may be kept neat and orderly, and thus give 
rise to a sense of pleasure. 
OCTOBER. 
Plant-houses. 
Orchid H ouses. — As the sun is on the 
wane, and the outside temperature becomes 
daily cooler, greater care must be exercised in 
supplying water to most of the inmates of these 
houses. A great number of Cattleyas will be 
at rest, and those which have not yet com¬ 
pleted their growth will not, owing to the 
reduced temperature, require so much water as 
those growing during the height of summer. 
All Dendrobes which have made their year’s 
growth should have a drier temperature, but 
such kinds as densiflorum, Farmeri, thyrsiflorum , 
Sillii, and others with persistent foliage should 
not be subjected to a lower temperature than 
50° to 55° Fahr.; while such as JVardianum, 
Findlayanum, nohile, Ainsworthii, and other mem¬ 
bers of that section may be wintered in a house 
whose atmosphere sometimes falls as low as 
45° Fahr. There are not many Orchids in 
flower in October, but Dendrobium Plialcenopsis, 
D. P. Schroederianum, and a few more will be 
developing their flower-spikes, and will require 
special attention. Vanda Amesiana, Oncidiuni 
tigrinum, and some few others will still be in 
bloom. Zygopetalums should be examined for 
tlirips, which are very fond of the flower-buds 
that will shortly be expanding. Calanthes must 
be watered sparingly, and the air of the house 
in which they are growing should be kept rather 
dry. The present is a favourable opportunity 
for giving the Orchid houses a thorough wash 
down before winter, as many of the Dendrobes 
and other species are dormant in cooler houses. 
Remove all shingle, gravel, shell, or whatever 
the stages may be covered with, and wash it in 
boiling water. This process will destroy any 
insects which may be lurking in it, and also 
remove any soil which may have been washed 
out from the pots. 
The temperature of the East Indian houses 
may be reduced to 65° at night, with a propor¬ 
tionate reduction in the daytime. That of the 
intermediate house should be 60°, and the cool 
house 50° to 55°, according to the weather. 
With this reduction of heat there should be a 
corresponding diminution in the amount of 
moisture. 
Hothouse. —Cuttings of Croton and other 
hard-wooded, fine-foliaged plants may still be 
propagated where a good deal of heat is avail¬ 
able. Those rooted now will make nice plants 
for early spring use. Towards the end of the 
month cut back Allamandas to within three or 
four eyes of the preceding year’s growth. We 
do not recommend drying off, but rather the 
reverse. Various other stove climbers and de¬ 
ciduous plants should now be gradually ripened 
off, so that they may have a rest for the following 
two months. Hothouse plants in flower are not 
numerous. There are, however, a few with 
brightly-coloured flowers which will be expand¬ 
ing their blooms, including Poinsettias, Plumba¬ 
gos, and Lasiandras. These should be afforded 
a little more heat, and fully exposed to sunlight. 
As the days decline the heat of these houses 
should be gradually lessened to 65° by night, 
