IV.] NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 211 



As the storms and nipping frosts begin to spoil the 

 beauty of the flower borders, compensation will be found in 

 keeping these neat by cutting away all decaying foliage, 

 and top-dressing the ground with fresh and rich compost 

 a mixture of rotten dung, fresh earth, sand, and leaf 

 mould. Dahlias should either have a thick covering 

 of coal ashes or peat thrown over them, or, better still, 

 they may be taken up on a fine day, their labels care- 

 fully fixed on them, and their colours, height, and quality 

 entered in a note-book ; let them dry gradually, and then 

 be stored in sand beyond the reach of damp and frost. 

 They are well worth all the trouble. 



Plant out Hyacinths and Tulips in groups, 4 to 6 

 inches deep and 6 apart ; surround them with sand, 

 which acts as drainage, and preserves the coats of the 

 bulbs from decay. 



Pick from plants in greenhouse, pit, or window, dead 

 or mouldy leaves ; give water sparingly, if at all. Keep 

 the temperature of the greenhouse as near as possible to 

 50. When the outside air is up to 45, let in plenty at 

 middle day, avoiding draughts. The more fresh air the 

 better, provided it be warm and genial the less the better 

 if it be moist and raw. 



