OCTOBER NOVEMBER 361 



WINTER ACONITE is not dismayed by frost or snow, but will put 

 forth its golden blossoms in the dreariest days of February, and after 

 the flowers have passed away the foliage will remain as an ornament. 

 But it is useless to put in single roots ; it is far better to plant a few 

 large patches rather than fritter away the flower in a number of small 

 and inconspicuous groups. 



NOVEMBER 



CYCLAMEN. If seed was not sown in October it must not be 

 neglected now ; and where there is a large demand for this flower, 

 sowings in both months will be better than risking all on a single 

 venture. 



FERRARIA (OR TIGRIDIA). In a dry border these bulbs will pass 

 the winter safely, but it is somewhat hazardous in wet land. Pot 

 culture under the shelter of a frame will frequently be necessary, and 

 this is a proper time for potting them ; but as the border flowers are 

 finer than those grown in pots they should, if possible, be planted out 

 in February. Sandy loam and peat suit them admirably. 



GLADIOLUS. The soil which answers best for this bulbous flower 

 is a medium friable loam, with a cool rich subsoil, A light loam 

 can be made suitable by trenching, and putting a thick layer of 

 cow-manure at the bottom of each trench. And a heavy soil may 

 be reduced to the proper condition by the free admixture of light 

 loam and sand. Autumn is the proper time for doing this work, 

 and the ground should be left rough so that it may benefit by winter 

 frost. Wireworms are deadly enemies to the Gladiolus corms, and 

 an effort should be made to clear them out. Happily they will 

 flock to traps such as Potatoes and Rape cake, and their destruction 

 is a mere question of daily attention. 



HYACINTHUS CANDICANS is generally grown in the company of 

 other flowers which attain to something like its own imposing pro- 

 portions. In good soil the spikes grow three feet high. It may be 

 planted from this time until March. 



LILIES are an ornament to the cottage garden, and they grace the 

 grandest conservatory. Many of the most superb varieties, including 

 the king of all the race, L. auratum, can be magnificently flowered in 

 the open border; and we have seen fine specimens of the Landfolium 

 varieties which had been grown in pots without the aid of pit or 

 frame. It is therefore obvious that there are no difficulties in the 



