668 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



nature ; the roaring of the woods and the rattling of branches, and the falling 



leaves, which are blown into dark and dreary places, are certain harbingers of 



winter. 



•* The wither'd leaves bestreiv the garden path, 

 Made miry with the fall of fleeting showers." 



In the garden a great change has come over the scene ; even the trimmest of 

 lawns has now a desolate and dreary look ; few flowers linger in the beds, 

 and those few seem out of place. But it is not yet entirely bare of flowers ; 

 the many-tinted asters remain, the arbutus-tree is now conspicuous in its 

 beauty, and a few bright chr3-santhemums nod their heads here and there ; 

 the brilliant hollyhock still rejoices the eye during the few sunny hours the 

 month affords us, unless frosty weather prevails ; 



" And the blue gentian flower, still in the breeze 

 Nods lonely, of its beauteous race the last." 



But the lover of flowers must now look indoors for his enjoyments, — to the 

 conservatory and greenhouse, if he is fortunate enough to possess these, for 

 his flowers. In the open air, if aided by a gloomy imagination, the poet's 

 picture may be nearly realized, and the burthen of the song be — 



*• Ko sky — no view — 



iS'o distance looking blue — 

 ^0 warmth, no cheerful healthful ease, 



Iso comfortable feeling in any member- 

 No shade — no shine — no butterflies — no bees- 

 No fruits — no flowers — no leaves — no buds in November. 



2073. Evergreens now become the redeeming element in the shrubbery; the 

 strong viscid juices which bind their leaves to the stem, yields a varnish which 

 protects them from the effects of cold and damp, giving them a dark and glossy 

 tint in strong contrast to the deciduous trees around them. These trees are now 

 being rapidly denuded of their leaves. First the walnut becomes naked, then 

 the mulberr}', the ash, and the horse-chestnut in theu' tui*n. Apple and peach 

 trees sometimes remain green till the end of the month ; and trees which have 

 been lopped, as White of Selborne tells us, retain their leaves till a late period. 



§ 2.— Flower-Gaeden and Shrubbery. 



2074. Flower-Garden. — The glory of the flower-garden is waning, and it 

 will soon be desolate, in spite of the gardener's care. Meanwhile, keej) the 

 beds neat by the timely removal of decaying foliage, and keep the grass and 

 gravel walks clean and smooth by frequent rolling. Plants to be taken up 

 and potted should be attended to immediately, or at least protected during 

 the nights, for fear of sudden frosts. Pelargomums, calceolarias, and 

 similar plants, are greatly benefitted by being placed in a gentle bottom-heat 

 until the fresh roots break. I\'ow is an excellent time for propagatin'^- cut- 

 tings of calceolarias and most herbaceous and shrubby plants, if placo . in a 

 cold frame. Chinese, Boui-bon, and hybrid perpetual roses, will now root 

 fi-eely under the same treatment. 



