244 THE FLORIST. 



THE LADIES' PAGE. 



" It was Autumn now, though only felt to he so by a certain something in the 

 air, which speaks, to those who understand it, of the fading Summer, even 

 before the flowers themselves have told it to the gently breathing gales." — 

 Hearts and Homes. 



As the heavily-laden wains convey the ripened grain from the fields, 

 and the gleaners desert the spots which yield them no further benefit, 

 the season assumes an autumnal air, not quite pleasing to those who 

 have been enamoured with the early loveliness and the gay plenty of 

 spring and summer. But long after the broad lands of the farmer 

 have done their work, and have ceased to be interesting to ordinary 

 observers, the garden continues to be beautiful and attractive. In 

 interest, indeed, September rivals April, although its charms are of a 

 different kind. The exotics, now so plentifully found " bedded out" 

 in our gardens, are in this month full of bloom ; the Dahlias seldom 

 look well until the scorching heat of August has been tempered by 

 the later rains ; and there is a general richness distinguishing the 

 domain of Flora, most delightful to her disciples. The pleasure is 

 certainly alloyed by the thought that death and desolation are close 

 at hand, masked by this luxurious loveliness : 



" Lover, trust not to her eyes ; 

 When they sparkle most, she dies !" 



Yet there is hope mingled with this sadness ; for we know that spring 

 will return, more beautiful by the contrast of the winter, which is 

 so soon to come. 



Unless my readers love the declining year to bear with it the 

 daily emblems and proofs of its decay, they will keep up a constant 

 opposition to the falling leaves and withering flower-stems, carefully 

 removing every thing which would otherwise strew the paths and 

 flower-beds. Besides the neatness and order diffused by this pro- 

 cess, we are encouraged to persevere in it by the value of these 

 exuvice when collected into a heap and allowed to rot during the 

 winter. A stock of leaf-mould, mixed with the small gravel swept 

 up with it, will be highly valued in the spring, and therefore the 

 labour necessary to collect it now must be cheerfully incurred ; and 

 if the robin follows your broom, as it does ours, hopping from side 

 to side of the walk, and picking up as you proceed the insects you 

 turn over, you will feel there is an interest in falling autumn leaves 

 after all. 



During this month tender things must be taken up and repotted, 

 if you wish to preserve them. Verbenas, when pegged down pro- 

 perly, will be found nicely rooted at the joints ; and plants may be 

 taken up and put into a cold frame for use in the spring. Before 

 October the soil should be thrown up a little round the stems of 

 Dahlias, or early frosts will do irreparable injury to the crowns, and 

 prevent any increase another year. This is the time to look over 

 your stock of bulbs, and to add to it, if necessary. The importations 



