1 Drc., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. : 607 
Annuals which have done flowering should be cleared away at once. It is 
the rule here to burn these, as they are thus prevented from adding to the 
unwelcome ranks of insect pests. 
Alternanthera, in its varieties, makes a yery useful edging plant in this 
climate. There are eleven varieties, viz.:—A. amabilis, A. amabilis amena, A. 
amabilis tricolor, A. Bettzichiana, A. Bettzichiana spathulata, A. ficoidea, A. 
paronychoides, A. paronychoides magnifica, A. paronychoides major, A. 
paronychoides major aurea, A. versicolor. These can be readily propagated now 
from cuttings. Bulbs should have all the old leaves cut away as they become, 
withered, but the green leaves should not be touched. Chrysanthemums require 
to be staked, and as the flower buds develop they should be supplied with weak 
liquid manure, and it will benefit them very much to be syringed of afternoons. 
These may still be planted for successional flowering; and, ifa few old plants are 
cut back, cuttings may be obtained in January, which will give late blooms of 
these favourites. Chrysanthemums must have good soil, and that well manured. 
It is mere waste of time to plant them in poor soil. Coleus may be planted 
now, and propagated from cuttings. ‘They should, where the time ean be spared, 
be kept in shape by nipping. In an establishment like this, many things have 
to be left undone vhich one recommends to people who can do them, for the 
simple reason that we have hardly the time to do really urgent and necessary 
work. Crotons can now be planted and also reproduced by cuttings. We strike 
them quite freely without any artificial aid, save that of a low bush-house. 
Dahlias will be in various stages. This year they were rather late in breaking, 
and in some places they may even be planted yet, but the greater part will have 
_ been planted and in need of staking. Look after this as they grow, and don’t 
have a big day of staking after they have got out of hand. Let them have 
liquid manure, and never let them get dried'up. A. dahlia soon shows you that 
it is thirsty, and does not recover the experience readily. Dracwnas may be 
planted. You know that these very graceful plants may be increased by taking 
off a piece of the underground stem or rhizome, with a few roots attached, and 
placing it in the earth, growing point upwards. It soon starts on its own 
account. Fuchsias which have been planted in ashady place will require to be kept 
in shape by nipping. Hippeastrums are a class of bulbs which make a splendid 
show in Queensland gardens. There are many fine varieties. They do not want 
to be dried off in the way in which many bulbs are. This injures them, 
as they are really partially evergreen. ‘They are going off just now, and when the 
leaves die down the plants should be allowed to rest for a time. 
Before the heavy rains set in they should be lifted and stored in boxes of sand, 
but never kept completely dry. When they show signs of growth they should 
be replanted in soil containing a goodly proportion of vegetable manure and 
sand, in a well-drained position. The smaller bulbs should be separated and 
lanted by themselves. You will be rewarded for your trouble by a most 
Prilliant display of flower on the more matured bulbs. Plant in a mass, rather 
than spread them about amongst borders, as by this much of the effect is lost. 
Narcissus require to be lifted about the end of the year. Do not store, but 
plant out at once in their new positions. Palms may be planted, and 1 would 
advise every land-owner in the colony to plant these beautiful plants in con- 
siderable quantity. They do not require a great deal of after attention, and 
their appearance adds distinetly to the value of a property. They are surface 
feeders, and do not require a great depth of soil. Many of them will thrive 
where many apparently more hardy trees will perish. As you cut roses you 
should cut them with long stalks, unless by so doing you cut off too many buds. 
Tn any case you should go over them and cut back the shoots upon which the 
flowers were borne. ‘This will give you a second lot of bloom. All tropical 
shrubs may be planted this month, and this is also true of all tropical fruits, 
such as bananas, pineapples, &c. 
Lawns should be top-dressed, where this is required, this month. Attention 
should be paid to mowing. Where a lawn-mowing machine is used it is better 
to allow the cut grass to remain on the surface, where it acts as a mulch, and 
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