NOVEMBER. 851 



should either be neatly raked over or the beds filled with dwarf shrubs, 

 bulbs, early flowering herbaceous plants, and annuals previously sown 

 for this purpose ; to make a display in spring. A very nice arrange- 

 ment of colours may be made with Crocuses and early Tulips, followed 

 by Narcissus, later Tulips, Hyacinths, Scillas, and Anemones, &c. 



Forcing Ground. — Mushroom beds should now be made for winter. 

 Where there is a large family to supply, Seakale and Rhubarb should 

 be started at once, that the forcing may be slow — always attended with 

 the best success. Where space is not an object, and there is plenty of 

 leaves or stable manure, we prefer the old plan of covering the crowns 

 with pots, and then forcing by covering with leaves, or litter and leaves 

 mixed. In other respects, Rhubarb roots may be taken up, potted, and 

 introduced wherever there is a slight heat ; and Kale may be success- 

 fully forced by packing the roots closely together in a common frame or 

 pit, and working them by linings ; the crowns should be covered with 

 a dry material to blanch them. Fill a pit or frame with Asparagus roots 

 (good three or four year old plants) over a gentle bottom heat, when 

 Grass is wanted in November. 



Hard-icooded Plants will now be under glass; water only when 

 the soil in the pots becomes dry, and then thoroughly ; give air on all 

 opportunities both day and night in mild weather, and set the plants 

 sufficiently wide apart to prevent drawing, and also to preserve the 

 foliage healthy down to the edge of the pots. Any Heaths affected 

 with mildew should be dusted with sulphur, or washed with a weak 

 solution of the Gishurst compound. 



Hardy Fruit. — Go over the Apples and Pears stored away, and 

 remove decayed specimens. Keep the room cool, and ventilate pretty 

 freely until the sweating process is over, after which a rather close, dry, 

 and cool atmosphere is best adapted for keeping fruit. Now is the best 

 time for planting fruit trees, and where additions are wanted, or new 

 borders made, no time should be lost in getting the materials together, 

 and the trees on the ground. Pruning may commence at once with 

 such trees as have lost their leaves ; and Peaches, Nectarines, and 

 Apricots should have their ripe leaves removed with a slight besom, to 

 admit the sun and air to the wood. 



Hollyhocks. — A cold pit or frame is sufficient to winter well esta- 

 blished plants if kept near the glass, but they should have sufficient 

 pot-room, and not over watered. Those now striking will be liable to 

 damp off from over moisture, which must be guarded against. 



Kitchen Garden. — Look to your Potatoes and other roots stored 

 away ; they are decaying very fast with us though pitted quite dry. 

 Take up Endive in quantities on the approach of frost, and fill empty 

 frames, sheds, or other places where you can keep it dry and preserve 

 it from frost. Lettuce must have the protection of glass to get it good 

 through the winter. Earth up Artichokes to preserve the crowns from 

 frost ; and Parsley should be hooped over to be ready for protecting when 

 required. Give plenty of air to Cauliflowers, Lettuces, and Radishes 

 under hand-glasses, and see that a quantity of the two former are 

 planted in sheltered places for further protection in severe frost. A 

 sowing of Peas for the first crop may be made towards the middle of 



