702 



GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



manure received for our roses. Eoses may still be planted, although the sooner 

 this work is finished the better for next season's bloom. Plant as many on 

 their own roots as possible ; they are more durable, and I think more beau- 

 tiful in this form than any other. All newly-planted roses should be mulched over 

 with three or four inches of light dungy litter on the surface. Examine and 

 renew the labels on these and all other named shrubs and herbaceous plants ; 

 provide stakes and pegs, and make labels in bad weather. Take stock of, and 

 finally decide on, the disposition of your bedding stuff : sweep, roll, and mow,, 

 if need be from the mildness of the season, your tui-f. Keep your gravel bright, 

 clean, and as hard as adamant, and by such means make the flower-garden, 

 even in ruins, a cheerful, comfortable, winter promenade. 



2198. Rese^-ve-Garden. — Annuals, to stand the winter here, will probably 

 require some slight protection. Carefully watch against the inroads of mice, 

 rats, snails, &c. Not only bulbs, but even young plants, are often devoured 

 by the two foiTuer ; and in mild winters a little black slug will clear off whole 

 beds of annuals. Let every vacant space be roughly dug up, manured, kc. : 

 choice beds of tulips, anemones, &c., sheltered in bad weather, and the whole 

 examined daily to guard against accident and ward off disease. 



2199. Florists' Flotoers. — Dahlia roots stowed away in cellars, &c., must be 

 carefully and frequently examined to see how they are keeping, and any 

 scarce sorts placed in heat towards the end of the month, to insure a large 

 stock before May. Although the aster threatens to infringe upon the domain, 

 and supersede the use to a large extent of the dahlia, yet, for exhibition and 

 decorative purposes, it is still a noble flower. I subjoin a list of a dozen first- 

 rate fancy and show varieties : — 



Fancy Class. 



Blondin, —yellow-flaked ; bright, 



red, large, and good crimson ... 4 

 Beanty of Etruria, — dark buflP, 



spotted, and striped 4 



CoTifidence, — crimson-striped ... 3 



Eclat, — purple-tipped, white ... 3 

 Gem,— rosy-crimson; small tip, 



bright yellow 3 



Miss Jones, — maroon, tipped white 3 



Norah Creina, — orange, tipped 



white 



Pauline,— tipped white 



Striata, — superb lilac, striped 



deep purple 



Spotted Gem,— buff striped, and 



spotted orange 



Summertide, — chocolate, tipped 



white ... ... 



FEET. 



Shoio Varieties. 



Andrew Dodds, — darkest flower 



out 3 



Beauty of Hilperton, — purple, 



Ihrge, and fine 4 



Criterion, — rose lilac; large and 



fine 4 



Etonia, — buff; fine shape 4 



Beroine,— solt peacih, with bronze 



tip 4 



Joy, — blush white, tipped with 



cherry 3 



2200. Carefully dry dahlia seed preparatory to sowing in pans next month^ 



Madge Wildfire, — bright light 

 scnrlet; fine 



Madnme Perault, — bright pink 

 carmine 



Mrs. Barnes,— blush white; con- 

 stant 



]Mrs. Crawford, — deep scarlet ... 



Mrs. H. Oakes, — primrose-yel- 

 low; fine shape 



Isorlolk Hero,— chestnut-brown... 



