_Flower Garden and Greenhouse._--The flower-beds in the lawn should be
at their best. If planted in "ribbon lines" or "massing," strict
attention must be given to pinching off the tops, so that the lines or
masses will present an even surface. Tender plants will require to be
put in the greenhouse or housed in some way towards the end of this
month; but be careful to keep them as cool as possible during the day.
Cuttings of bedding plants may now be made freely if wanted for next
season, as young cuttings rooted in the fall make better plants for
next spring's use than old plants, in the case of such soft-wooded
plants as pelargoniums, fuchsias, verbenas, heliotropes, &c.; with
roses and plants of a woody nature, however, the old plants usually do
best. Dutch bulbs, such as hyacinths, tulips, crocus, &c., and most of
the varieties of lilies, may be planted. Violets that are wanted for
winter flowering will now be growing freely, and the runners should be
trimmed off. Sow seeds of sweet alyssum, candytuft, daisies,
mignonette, pansies, &c. Visit the roadsides and woods for interesting
plants to put in the hardy borders.
_Fruit Garden._--Strawberry plants that have been layered in pots may
yet be planted, or in southern districts the ordinary ground layers
may be planted. The sooner in the month both are planted the better
crop they will give next season; and, as these plants soon make
runners, it will be necessary to trim them off. Attend to raspberries
and blackberries as advised for last month, if they have not already
been attended to. All fruit trees should be gone over for borers
before cold weather sets in; they also should have been gone over for
the same purpose in May and June.
_Vegetable Garden._--If cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce are wanted to
plant in cold frames, the seed should be sown from about the 10th to
the 20th of this month; but judgment should be exercised, for, if sown
too early, cabbage and cauliflower are apt to run to seed. The best
date for latitude of New York is September 15th. The main crop of
spinach or sprouts that is wanted for winter or spring use should be
sown about the same date. The earth should be drawn up to celery with
a hoe preparatory to earthing up with a spade. Onions that were not
harvested and dried last month must now be attended to. Turnips of the
early or flat sorts may yet be sown the first week of this month in
the northern states, and in the south from two to four weeks later.