Let us clear up a few odd tasks connected with the flower garden, and so make room for the great study of the bulbs.

Tuberous Begonias

Early October often sees the lovely tuberous Begonias at their best. They love the long, cool nights, and, refreshed by the heavy dews, turn brilliant lamps of blossom to the midday sun. But in light, dry soils they do not last so long; the foliage shrinks, the stems slacken, and the whole bed shows a decline. The first frost finishes off the work of natural decay, and the erstwhile beautiful plants turn black. Now is the time to bring forth the fork, and carefully lift the tubers. It is not necessary to scrape every particle of soil from them at the moment of lifting. Spread them to dry, covering them with an old sack at night, and in a few days they can be cleansed and stored in some dry, frost-proof place for the winter.

Propagating Bedding Calceolarias

Young shoots of the yellow-flowered shrubby Calceolaria may be taken now, and inserted firmly in sandy soil in boxes, which may be placed in a frame. The cuttings should be made quite firm.

Fig. 75. - Lifting Tuberous Begonias.

a. Tuber with fading leaves and stalks.

b. Soil and roots adhering to the tuber.

c. Tuber prepared for storing in a box.

Housing Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums love the cool, dewy nights of October, and seem so fresh and happy in the open air that there is a real reluctance to disturbing them. But a sharp frost may come at any time now, and if it caught the grower of prize-bloom plants unawares, it might spoil all his season's work in a night. To be on the safe side the plants must be housed, and as the work involves some amount of preparation, a beginning should be made as early as possible in October. Are the plants to be arranged in a group in the conservatory or vinery? Then get any stages which may exist there taken down and packed away. Clear up all rubbish. If there is any damp, or if there has been any trouble from insects, give the walls a coating of whitewash and the woodwork a scrubbing. Place a few clean, empty boxes and large flower pots handy, because it may be necessary to mount some of the plants to display them to the best advantage. Take care that the growths of the plants are not blown about and injured while being detached from their supports in the garden and transported to the house. Cleanse the pots. It is probable that the plants vary a great deal in height, in which case they may be arranged in a slope from back to front. A fringe of some dwarf plant along the front will, by hiding the pots and boxes, impart a neat finish to the group. Exercise great care in watering for a few days after housing. The plants may be a little limp for a few days, and much water will be bad. The plants should be kept under close observation for a few days. Watering may be resumed when they are seen to be freshening up again. Give plenty of air in fine weather. If mildew should appear, dust with flowers of sulphur. When the plants settle down to their new surroundings the buds will swell rapidly, and liquid manure may be given twice a week.

Fig. 76. - Grouping Chrysanthemums.

a. Pathway in a lean-to greenhouse.

b. Dwarf plants near the pathway.

c. The back of the group. (The arrangement should result in a nice undulating surface).