246 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



" AUTUMN IN THE GARDEN. 



" By the time this can appear, autumn, with all its beauty 

 and glorious colouring, will be upon us. At that time the 

 gardener should see, as far as possible, that order reigns in 

 the garden, for if his care be slackened at this, of all times, 

 he is likely to have chaos when there might be beauty for 

 at least another six weeks. 



"Of course, much depends on the weather. If the 

 autumn is mild, then Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Sunflowers, 

 and many other flowers may continue to bloom right 

 through September, October, and even into early November. 

 Also some annuals often continue till late autumn, 

 especially those sown after the general lot ; but some 

 do not pick up again, so a little discrimination is needed. 



" Firstly, then, tall plants like Chrysanthemums must 

 be well tied up to the stakes provided early in the summer. 

 The laterals of outdoor Chrysanthemums \vhich we always 

 retain to gain a prolonged display of bloom, must be tied 

 in firmly, or they will be soon broken off in windy localities, 

 but it goes without saying that unless the stakes are firm 

 and sufficient in strength and bulk, it is of little use tying up 

 the plants. Many do not think of what their Chrysanthe- 

 mums in the borders may yet have to go through. The 

 equinoctial winds well-nigh defy the gardener, but if he 

 does this tying up religiously before they come, much less 

 damage should ensue. 



" The hoe, too, should be kept very busy among the 

 plants, for at this season" all weeds are going to seed. Do 

 not leave them on the ground after hoeing, it is unsightly 

 and slovenly. Many do not realise the great vitality of 

 weeds or they would rake them off at once. 



" One word about leaves. In large gardens, where there 

 are many trees, leaves fall thick and fast in the autumn. 

 Of course they look untidy, and are swept up and stored 

 for leaf -mould. But it is unlikely that the amateur will 

 have time to indulge in the extreme tidiness I so hate to 

 see. After all, it is autumn, and, though the beds and 



