264 THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. f November, 



OuT-DooES. — Pay every attention to the Fruit in the fruit-room ; pick out 

 all the small fruit, and any that are in the least damaged, and keep all the choice 

 and best kinds in single layers on shelves. Take advantage of favourable weather 

 to plant Fruit-trees of all kinds in properly prepared borders. Standards and 

 such as are likely to be blown about by the winds should be neatly secured to 

 stakes. Push forward the Pruning of fruit-trees at every favourable opportunity. 

 This is a good time to thin out the crowded branches in Orchard trees. Eegu- 

 lafce and tie Raspherrtj-canes^ and make new plantations in well-manured ground. 

 Clean, dress, and dig fruit-tree borders. — M. Saul, Stourton. 



VEGETABLES. 



Peepaeations must now be made for forcing Asparagus, Rhubarb^ and Seakale. 

 The RJiubarh and Seakale would succeed thoroughly in a mushroom-house. Where 

 the principle of taking up the crowns of the Seakale is followed, in preference to 

 forcing them upon the ground on which they have grown during the past summer, 

 the roots, after being dug up, should be divested of their smaller rootlets, &c., 

 cut into lengths each having a crown, and planted neatly and firmly together 

 in one corner of the structure, in such a position as will admit of a good depth 

 of dry leaves, cocoa-nut fibre, or some similar substance being placed over them, 

 in order to insure that the young growths when they push up, may be well 

 blanched. Light and air must be kept from them during the growing period, as 

 much as possible. The Rhubarb should be placed in this or some other warm 

 situation, in the shape of large stools, as taken up, and should have plenty of 

 water applied to the roots. In regard to Asparagus^ a nice bottom-heat must be 

 secured in a bed, either by means of hot water, or the old method of fermenting 

 materials. The crowns when taken up are to be planted thereon, in good light 

 soil, great attention being given not to permit the heat of the bed to exceed 95", 

 or what is a better and safer maximum, 85°, at which it should be maintained 

 as nearly as possible. 



Late large Caulijloivers must be protected from frosts, as must also flowering 

 plants of Snow's and Walcheren Broccoli. In the case of Lettuce and Endive., 

 transplant the largest and best plants into cool frames, where some slight protec- 

 tion against frosts and very damp weather can be given. Other successional 

 crops must be kept clear of weeds by frequently stirring the soil between them 

 during fine dry intervals. The same remark applies to crops of Winter Spinach ; 

 the more frequently the soil is stirred amongst them the better. This last will 

 have made a very strong gi'owth where it was sown at the proper time, and the 

 better plan with it is to thin out the plants well, and to pick off some of the 

 larger leaves for use. 



Spring Caulijloiver-^\^,ni& that are transplated into frames and other protec- 

 tive contrivances must have full air, so that they do not become drawn, and too 

 tender to withstand the winter. Those who have not already transplanted these 

 last permanently, should do so forthwith ; it is always better to transplant all 

 the young plants, than to permit them to stand in the seed-beds throughout the 

 winter ; in dibbling them out, place them more deeply into the ground than 

 previously, as an additional protection. Mulch well around Globe Artichokes as 

 a protection against frosts. Make first sowings of Peas and Broad Beans ; 

 Harbinger is a high-class new variety. Bring the earthing-up of late Celery to 

 a close with despatch ; and remove all remaining decaying stems of Jerusalem 

 Artichoke and Asjoaragus, as well as other autumn-ripening or summer growths. 

 Those, by the way, who wish to decrease the spring work to the utmost extent 

 possible, might now plant out their permanent crops of Shallots and Garlic; they 

 will succeed well. — William Eaeley, Valentines. 



