I860.] SEASONABLE HINTS FOR AMATEURS. OCTOBER. 231 



such, as Hollies, Berbei-ries, Aucubas, Bhododendrons, Kalmias, &c, or where 

 these do not succeed, a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. When the frost 

 has destroyed the beauty of the flowers, the whole should be cleared away, and 

 the beds and borders should be dug and planted afresh, — some with hardy bulbs, 

 as the Narcissus, Hyacinth, Tulip, Crocus, Jonquil, &c. ; the remainder, with 

 Pansies, Primulas, Alyssums, Aubrietias, Drabas, Phloxes, Hepaticas, &c. As 

 this is a good season to lay turf, I would advise that where lawns are uneven. 

 the turf should now be taken up, and relaid, after levelling the ground. 



As soon as there is danger from frost, all tender plants should be placed under 

 protection. The hardier sorts may be put under any temporary shelter, the 

 more tender ones should be placed under glass, either in pits or frames or in the 

 greenhouse. Cinerarias and Pelargoniums for autumn flowering should have 

 plenty of air in mild weather, and be carefully watered when they require any. 

 Cinerarias for spring flowering should now have a liberal shift, and be placed 

 near the glass during the winter months ; they must be carefully watered, and 

 kept free of greenfly. 



The work in the Kitchen Garden this month is not of great importance. The 

 late Potatos should be taken up, dried, and stored away. The best way of storing 

 them is that which will keep them most effectually dry ; a dry cellar or outhouse 

 answers well, if frost can be kept out. Carrots, Parsnips, Beet, Salsafy, and Scor- 

 zonera should also be taken up, dried, and carefully packed away in dry sand in 

 a dry cellar or outhouse. All these should be looked over occasionally, to see 

 there is no dampness amongst them. The earthing-up of Celery must be attended 

 to, not only to blanch it, but also to protect it from the effects of frost. Cauli- 

 flowers sown in the open ground in August, should now be planted out under 

 hand-glasses, and some should be pricked out into frames for transplanting in 

 spring. When the Asparagus haulm is dead it should be cleared away, and if 

 there be any weeds on the beds they should be carefully hoed and cleared away ; 

 the beds should then have a dressing of good manure put on them, and this should 

 be covered with soil out of the alleys. As ground becomes vacant it should be 

 manured, dug or trenched, and thrown up into ridges, to expose it to the influence 

 of the atmosphere. 



In the Fruit Garden the gathering-in of Pears and Apples until all are 

 housed must be daily attended to. To ensure their successful keeping, careful 

 handling is absolutely necessary, as is also gathering at the proper time. 

 Experienced fruit-growers can tell at a glance when fruit has reached the state 

 in which it should be gathered, but the amateur, without considerable experience, 

 can hardly do so, though he will not be far wrong if he attends to the rule com- 

 monly observed in this matter — that is, to note when the fruit begins to drop 

 naturally from the tree, or to part freely from the stem on being moved. Quinces, 

 Medlars, Walnuts, and other nuts should be gathered during this month. 



I would strongly urge on amateurs the advantage of early autumn planting, 



