600 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



know whether or not the bud will fail if he attends to what has already- 

 been said upon this i^oint — viz., when making the bud, allow a small 

 portion of the leaf and foot-stalk to remain thereupon ; and should this 

 drop off in the course of a few weeks, success is sure to crown the oper- 

 ation, whereas, if it dries up and adheres, it is a sure token that it will 

 not take. Whatever sort of material is used for tying up the bud will, 

 in the course of a few weeks, begin to get tight and leave marks upon 

 the wood. Care should be taken to remove and renew these ties from 

 time to time, as, if they are allowed to remain for a length of time, 

 they are sure to cause gum or canker. The best material for this 

 purpose is stocking worsted, which is at once strong and elastic. We 

 have often wondered how little belts of india-rubber would answer the 

 purpose. We never have met with any one who has tried it, but it is 

 our intention to make some experiments with it ; and whether or not 

 it answers the end in view, we will let the result be known. In spring, 

 when the bud shows signs of starting into growth, the ties may be 

 removed at once, unless there should be token of not very firmly 

 adhering. In that case they may be allowed to remain for some time 

 longer, but should be looked to every week and retied, as, if this is 

 not regularly done, they will soon cut into the wood, as both stock and 

 bud will be swelling rapidly, and in the course of a few weeks will 

 probably double their circumference unless the stock be all the larger. 

 Should the ties be allowed to remain, and the tree growing so rapidly, 

 it will at once be seen that a very unsightly mark would thus be made, 

 which would materially reduce the resisting powers of the tree, and 

 make it very susceptible to being broken over at this point by any 

 storm. James McMillan. 



{To he continued,) 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— NOVEMBER. 



l^ow that winter is fast approaching, much of what is termed the 

 "rough " work of the garden should be carried forward without delay. 

 It is too often the case with amateur gardeners to be in a miserable 

 plight at this season — all the falling leaves, decaying vegetable refuse, 

 and litter lying about, and much left to the turn of the year which has 

 to be hurried through and often half done. This applies not only to re- 

 novation, but also to the usual course of work — such as trenching, drain- 

 ing, manuring, &c. While weather is open, no time should be lost in 

 preparing for the coming season. After all refuse is cleared off to the 

 compost-heap, let a good coating of manure be wheeled on in ridges, 



