CHAPTER XXXVII 

 FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER 



THE summer is waning, and with it the gay blossoms in 

 our window-boxes must go; but what shall we have 

 to take their place ? 



Not the funereal little yews and stiff little conifers which 

 are supplied by the thousand for this purpose ; surely even 

 a bare box is preferable to these, which inevitably suggest 

 the departure of warmth and gladness, and are appropriate 

 only in memory of the dear departed flowers. Nor will the 

 ubiquitous but uninteresting euonymus be desirable. There 

 are, however, many winter- flowering plants which may be 

 used in their place, as well as those with cheerful berries, 

 brilliant in colour ; and although there may come a time 

 in the middle of the winter when the buds will be dormant, 

 waiting for sunshine and warmth before unfolding their 

 petals, yet they will remind us that winter is, after all, but of 

 short duration, and that blossoms are at least on their way 

 to cheer us. 



The slight protection afforded by the embrasure of the 

 window is usually quite enough for the crimson buds of the 

 laurestinus, and neat little three-year-old plants of this pretty 

 shrub will now be showing promise of blossom at every 

 point. There is no difficulty in keeping up a supply of 

 home-grown specimens if cuttings or slips are inserted in 

 light soil under the protection of a cold frame at this time 

 of year. They should be potted up the following October, 

 and shifted on as they require more room, but it is a mistake 

 to give them very large pots, as they blossom best when 

 rather tight in their pots ; moreover, they are more manage- 



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