ater is
an important thing in connection with Gardening, and as we have
previously recommended, apply it right and left, to shrubs, grass,
trees, flowers, and walks. It is most important for the leaves and stems
of plants to be perfectly free from dust and dirt, as this is one of the
very first steps to securing a strong, healthy, and vigorous growth. A
writer once described the pleasure in dry weather of attaching a hose to
a main and sending a stream of water over and on to the tops of the
young trees and shrubs as well worth 100 pounds a year to any lover of
Nature. A great drawback to town gardens, or gardens situated near
crowded thoroughfares, is that the plants there grown are almost
invariably smothered with dust: under such circumstances successful
gardening becomes simply a matter of impossibility, as hardly any plants
will thrive, or even live, under such conditions. A proper site is,
therefore, a matter of primary importance.

* * * * *

There is, however, plenty of work, other than watering, to be done this
month. Seed of a great number of plants should now be saved and
carefully placed in dry cool places until the time arrives for sowing
them. Cuttings of a multitude of perennials ought now to be secured and
immediately planted: those of such important plants as chrysanthemums,
pansies, snapdragons, stocks, and wallflowers, in particular; divisions
of auriculas and polyanthuses may now be made. If a cold frame be
available, utilise the same by keeping cuttings of the very hardy sorts
in it until they have thoroughly rooted, and transfer them to the open
border. Less hardy plants will need a protection of some sort through
the winter, and few things are more suitable for such a purpose than a
frost-proof frame, where air can be plentifully given every time the
state of the weather admits.

* * * * *

Dahlias will be now coming into full glory, and as the first three or
four flowers are usually worthless, cut them off before they fully
expand. Hollyhocks may now be frequently supplied with liquid manure.
Rose-trees will require looking after: give them plenty of rich food,
and, when the "perpetual" flowering section has done blooming, cut back
each shoot to about two or three buds from its base. Small pieces of
grass will periodically need mowing, and this ought to be done with a
proper mowing-machine, as a pair of shears inv