Notes for the Month. 
\ 
Seasonable/ work will include the 
planting ou/in their flowering quarters 
of plants pfopagated from seeds, cuttings 
or divisioys, bulbs and corms of summer 
blooming subjects, as Gladiolus, Amaryllis 
etc., anf sowing seeds of annuals that 
be killed by ~ frosts . if 
would sown 
earlier. 
— Pests. — ~ 
Careful observation will be necessary 
to keep the young tender growth of the 
various plants free from attack by insects 
or fungi, and from such enemies as slugs 
and snails. An occasional dusting of 
quick lime, i.e., lime newly slaked, to 
spots where slugs and snails are known to 
shelter, will tend to hold ‘these pests in 
check. Aphis and mildew on roses and 
other plants must be promptly attacked 
and persevered with if necessary, or the 
results from the plants will be disappoint 7 
ing the whole season through. 
— The Dutch Hoe. — 
The Dutch. Hoe should be going on the © 
beds and borders, primarily to hold weeds 
in check, and also to preyent the baking 
of the surface and to cub air and 
moisture, <) — 
Phe Hower Conder, 
— Pruning. — 
Plants that have been pruned severely 
during the winter will usually develop 
buds so situated that the resulting 
growths are sure to crowd and exhaust the 
shoots that the pruner had aimed to 
specially encourage. Such buds should 
be removed as soon as they appear, and 
any abnormally strong shoots that would 
tend to destroy the symmetry of the 
specimen should also be either removed 
or pinched, except where Suet! for 
exhibition. 
— Carnations. — 
Carnations will need some attention at 
this season of the year,if the best possible 
results are.desired, from a decorative 
point of view. Where an excessive 
number of shoots are present on old 
plants, these should be thinned out, 
leaving about six well placed leaders; also 
remove some of the weakly laterals, or 
side growths on the selected shoots 
retaining those that are strongest and 
occur nearest to the base of the plants. 
The plants should be staked or supported 
as being of a brittle nature they are likely 
“to suffer from the effect of wind. The 
best method is to make a circle of wire 
netting, about 18 inches or 2 feet in 
height, and of sufficient diameter to enable 
'THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
-the whole of the plant to be trained 
plants. 
October 1, 1909 
within it. A stake should be threaded 
through the ends of the netting to make 
the circle, and another at the opposite 
side, and each stake securely fixed in the 
soil. This is the best means of support 
_ for the flower shoots, end is also a barrier 
against rabbits, which, 
attack carnations in preference to any 
if present, will 
other plant. An occasional watering with 
liquid manure made from guano or some 
‘such manure and soot, will benefit the 
plants greatly, adding to the size and 
number of theblooms. Sootisa valuable 
“material. to a carnation grower, ‘as, in 
addition to its value as a manure, it keeps 
mealy bugs and other pests from attacking 
plants. a 
— The Bouvardia, — 
The Bouvardia is one of the most 
useful dwarf plants for border decoration 
or for cutting, blooming freely during 
summer and autumn. 
B. leiantha, splendens, and triphylla are 
still found in many gardens, were almost 
all red flowered ; but garden hybrids have 
been produced much superior to those in 
form and size, and varied in color. They 
are specially suitable for small gardens, but 
should not be planted close to large shrubs. 
or trees. A loamy soil suits them well, and 
with a fair supply of water during dry 
hot weather they are sure to give satis- 
The plants will be cut back by 
frost in winter unless sheltered, but will 
break away into growth again in the 
faction. 
spring. Desirable kinds are:—B, Hum- 
~ boldtii 
corymbiflora and Beauty of 
Brisbane, white; President Cleveland 
scarlet; Bockii and Priory Beauty, pink ; 
these are single-flowered varieties. Ofthe 
double flowered, Alfred Neuner, white ; 
President Garfield, pink ; Hogarth fl. pl., 
scarlet, and Luteola plena, are the best 
kinds, 
— Cannas. — 
Cannas have been greatly improved 
during the last few years, and are most 
effective in mixed borders, their tall 
massive foliage of varying tints of green 
and metallic red affording a pleasing 
contrast to the surrounding shrubs and 
_ They require a well-enriched 
The original types 
(natives of Central America), of which 
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