THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 375 



lose by knocking the soil about, for tlie atmosphere enriches it. All roots are, of 

 course, stored, except parsnips, and they are best dug as wanted ; celery is banked 

 up, and will so remain till demanded for the table. In the forcing department sea- 

 kale, asparagus, and rhubarb, require regular attention, but they are so easy to do 

 that there is scarce anything to be said about them, except that a temperature of 

 60^ is enough, and that they must be kept only moderately moist. It is good to 

 force asparagus in full daylight, so as to obtain purple shoots, but sea-kale and 

 rhubarb are the better for total darkness. It is not the rule to mention the names 

 of dealers, but we cannot resist stating that we forced an extra large quantity of 

 sea-kale and asparagus last year, and had a supply of roots from Mr. Clark, of 42, 

 Bishopsgate-street, which were remarkable for size, and the magnificent heads they 

 produced. Only once before have we seen such roots of sea-kale, and that was in a 

 collection grown by Mr. Bagley, the market-gardener, and exhibited at the Isling- 

 ton Cattle Show. 



Fruit Garden. — Plenty of work here to prune, plant, aud improve. Collections 

 of bush fruits should be periodically transplanted. Old trees that have borne fruit 

 for years maj- be much benefited by mulching the ground over their roots with fat 

 manure ; pig-duug i-s the best for the purpose ; if unsightly, sprinkle a little earth 

 over. Apple-trees infested with white blight should be cleansed with warm brine 

 rubbed into the bark with a stiff brush. Manure gooseberry, and currant, and 

 raspberry plantations, and put in cuttings of the first two if any increase of stock 

 is required. 



Floioer Garden. — Cut down fuchsias, coarse herbaceous plants, and whatever 

 else is dead at top, but alive at the root ; make all clean and tidy, for there is gloom 

 enough above, and as the grass is green, we may as well have as much cheerfulness 

 as possible below. Deciduous trees, flowering shrubs, and roses to be planted. 

 Evergreens, also, may be planted, but October is the proper time for them. But if 

 well done during mild Aveather, they will hold their ground. Any bulbs not yet 

 planted should be disposed of at the first opportunity. 



Greenlwiise and Stove. — In houses used merely to keep plants, use only as much 

 fire-heat as will keep out frost, and give but little water. But where plants are ex- 

 pected to bloom, keep an average temperature of 45" to 50^ at night, rising to 60° or 

 65" with sunshine by day. Chrysanthemums under glass do not like fire, but they 

 must have enough to keep out frost. The majority of stove plants are at rest now, 

 but those in growth or flower must have kind treatment. Orchids require great care, 

 for though, generally speaking, very little moisture suffices for them now, a dryness 

 that causes shrivelling of their bulbs is very mischievous. , 



Pits and Frames should have the lights removed on fine days, and all dead 

 leaves and rubbish should be got rid of. Plants irr want of water must have it, but 

 let it be given with caution, so that the leaves will get dry before the lights are 

 put on. 



NEWS OF THE MONTH. 



Chrysanthemum exhibitions have been held in all parts of London, and at Liver- 

 pool, Birmingham, and Bristol. The great event of the month was the exhibition 

 by the United Hokticolturai. Society in the Guildhall of the City of Lon- 

 don, when a magnificent display was made, both of the favourite autumnal flower 

 and of fruits, fine foliage plants, orchids, and floral decorations. 



Mr. Forsyth, of the Brunswick Nursery, Stoke Newington, exhibited an enor- 

 mous collection of superbly-grown chrysanthemums ; Mr. George, Stamford Hill, 

 a group unequalled among all the competitions of the season for size, finish, and 

 splendour of bloom. Mr. Crute, of Tufnel Park, not only made a gorgeous bank of 

 " long rod" chrysanthemums, but in tlie centre of the hall constructed a beautiful 

 flower-bed. This was made on a convex mouud of grass mowings, enclosed in a 

 stone moulding, supplied by Messrs. Kosher and Co., and encircled without by a 

 gravel path. The bed had for a centre-piece a noble fern, then a broad circle of 

 chrysanthemums, trained down to fit the regular convex surface of the bed, next a 

 circle of Iresine Herbstii, next a circle of Centaurea plumosa, and outside of all a 



