OCTOBER. 



495 



FOR OCTOBER. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



The month of September continued cool and dry for the greater part, 

 vegetation being only refreshed by one heavy shower. It is now dry again, 

 remarkably so for the season. There was a slight frost on the 20th instant, 

 which injured the dahlias, and various tender plants and vegetables in low 

 and cool localities. 



The dry weather and early frosts will soon defoliate trees, and trans- 

 planting may be commenced as soon as this takes place, Avhich will proba- 

 bly be early in the month ; ground should therefore be prepared to receive 

 them. 



Fruit should be looked after now; all the early fall pears should be 

 gathered immediately, as well as a greater part of the apples ; but the late 

 winter pears may remain on the trees as long as the foliage continues green 

 and healthy. Gather in the morning, after the dew is off, and carry imme- 

 diately to the fruit room or cellar, and place in boxes or barrels, or upon 

 open shelves. Grapes in vineries may be preserved fresh for a long time 

 by airing freely in all good weather. 



Grape Vines in greenhouses should now have all their late green wood 

 shortened in, and all dead or decaying leaves picked off, preparatory to 

 their final pruning next month. Vines in cold houses, as soon as the fruit 

 is all gathered, should be thrown open freely to ripen off and mature the 

 wood. 



Figs, as soon as the crop is gathered, should be sparingly watered, and if 

 in the open air removed to the vinery or cold grapery. 



Strawberry Beds should not be neglected ; the plants will grow 

 vigorously all the month, and should be occasionally cleared of all Aveeds. 



Raspberry Plantations may be made now, 



Fruit-Trees may be transplanted the latter part of this month. 



Peach Trees budded early will need looking afler, as the ties may be 

 girdling the trees. 



Insects, particularly the canker worm grubs, will commence the opera- 

 tion of laying their eggs this month, and trees likely to be affected should 

 be tarred or otherwise protected. 



flower department. 



There is abundance of work now on hand ; the late frost has given a 

 timely warning of the approach of colder weather, and the observing ama- 

 teur or gardener should be active to have everything out ot the reach of all 

 danger ; a very slight touch of cold will greatly mar the beauty of many 

 tender plants. All conservatory plants should now be housed and arranged 

 in their places, if possible. Unless driven for time it is better to do it at 



