1885. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



Eclieverias to be raised from seed, slioiild have 

 this sown now fur next year's beddmg phmts. 

 Euphorbia. Treat as for Poiusettias. 



Gardenias with advanced buds should be kept at 

 im^ ni^rhl. and later plants somewhat cooler, water 

 carefully but with moderation. If the i>ots of 

 I>lants about to bloom are full of roots, sprinkle a 

 little br>ne dust on the surface of the soil. 

 Gloxinias. Treat like Achimenes. 



Hyacinths, for early bloom, may come into heat 

 as soon as the ball of earth is well marked by roots. 



Lig'Ilt is very imi)(.irtant at this season; if the 

 glass is clouded with summer whitening or other 

 substance, clean it. 



Lilies of the Japan spec ies. for forcing, should 

 Ije potted early in the month: keep in cold pit for 

 some weeks before Ijringing into heat. 



Lily of the Valley uiay >>e brought in for forcing 

 into early bloom, towards the eud of the month. 



Mignonette for spring bloom should be sown. 



Orchids. At this season may be seen the ad- 

 vanta^'e of ( >rchid houses, with divisions for those 

 requiring different treatment. In absence of this, 

 any kinds in a growing state might be moved into 

 the hot-house or forcing pit. so as to allow of the 

 cooling down of the house containing the main col- 

 lection, for securing complete rest. In this state 

 they should be comparatively cool and dry; 50° by 

 night and (iiP by day will suit. Fumigate the houses 

 for thrip and fty. 



Pansies. Directions for Violets will suit. 



Poinsettias for earlj- should now have brisk heat, 

 with tlie lu'Uvls all but touching the glass. 



Roses. Climbing Noisette Roses under glass 

 need to have their shoots cut back to four eyes afttr 

 each crop of tli>wers. The Marechal Neil needs the 

 same treatment, but this should have been applied 

 when the summer flowering season was over. 



Tulips. Treat as for Hyacinths. 



Violets keep near the glass, air very freely day 

 and niglit, provided upwards of 4()° of heat can 

 be maintained. Kept too close and warm there | 

 will be no Howere. Trim off runnei-s and dead 

 leaves. 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Blackberries- Trim out the old wood now, to 

 save time in tlie spring. 



Clear off "id rubbish, prunings, etc,, and' bum. 

 Loose material lying about will afford a harbor for 

 insects, many of which but for this would freeze. 



Cutting's of Grape Vines, Currants, Gooseberries 

 and Quinces, can now be made and buried on a dry 

 knoll \mtil spring, when they will grow more readily 

 then if cutting is deferred until that time. 



Fruit Cellars. Keep weU ventilated in fine 

 weather. The utmost regard to cleanliness, and the 

 prevention of decaying substances in the apart- 

 ments, should receive attention. 



Grapes. To pre.serve fresh, a cool, diy room or 

 cellar is needed. Keep the temperature within a 

 few degrees of 3H if possible: here they will keep 

 readily for months, with little trouble. Pack in 

 boxes, in Iayei*s, the bunches close together, with 

 heavy paper between the layere. Before this, they 

 must be freed of moisture by exposure to the air. 

 An excellent way to keep large handsome speci- 

 mens, is hy passing the stem through a perforated 

 cork into a liottle of water and .sealing with wax. 



Grape Vines. Throughout the north the best 

 winter treatment for these is to prune soon after 

 leaf-falling; then lay down the remaining parts 

 and cover with a small amount of earth or sods, 

 for protection until spring. 



Grafts uiay be cut this month. Tie in bunches 

 and set one third of their length in sand in a moder- 

 ately cool cellar. 



Packing in Barrels. Use clean barrels. Those 

 for Pears must be lined with straw-paper to prevent 

 wood stains : tVtr Apples this is not needed. Take 

 out one head and place the fruit in nice layers, 

 starting against the other end which is to open fii"st. 

 Fill in without bruising the fruit, setthng or shaking 

 the barrel occasionally, until it is a httle more than 

 full ; bring the head in place with a lever. Apples 

 may be pressed to advantage in jjacking. so those 

 against the bottom head will even bnaise a little, 

 but Peai-s not. Choice Pears are usually packed 

 in boxes holding a bushel or less, with each speci- 

 men wrap]>ed separately in paper. 



Pits and Nuts for planting, should be mixed with 

 sand, amt l>e set in an exposed place to freeze. 



Plowing and Spading* of land to be planted 

 with fruit m thr siiring, snould- be done now. The 

 hai'row will ht it up for work then at planting time 

 with little delay. 



Boot Cuttings afford the means of propagating 

 Blackberries and Kiispberries. Roots the size of a 

 pencil antl smaller, are cut into pieces two or three 



inches long. These are placed in layers alternately 

 with earth in a box. which tlien is Inn-icd in a dry 

 place until spring. Then the cuttings are jilanted. 



Strawberries. Mulch with leaves or straw just 

 as winter sets in. to prevent their being lifted by 

 freezing and thawing. The m_ulch can then renuiln 

 until after fniiling to protect the crop from dirt. 



Vinegar making is in order. Apple cider is the 

 foundation stock for this usually, but the juice of 

 any fruit will answ er. Water cider, made by satu- 

 rating the pomace after it is removed from the 

 press, with water, and re-i)ressing it. makes good 

 vinegar. In any case allow the cider to ferment, 

 after which add some old vinegar or mother, keep- 

 ing the casks in a warm place. 



Young Trees. Bank up as directed last month, 

 both tu steady them and to prevent mice girdling. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Artichokes. Jerusalem or Sunflower Artichokes 

 should be lifted before hard frosts and treated like 

 Potatoes. Give Globe or true Artichokes, a protec- 

 tion of leaves or litter just befoi-e winter, to keep 

 them over alive. 



Asparagus. Mow the tops and burn. Now is a 

 good linu* to manm-e the beds, a thing that .should 

 be done lihtMally when needed. 



Broccoli sometimes does not head before hard 

 frosts. Lift such carefully with earth on the roots, 

 and set in a damp cellar to develop. 



Cabbage. When growth has ceased becau.se of 

 cold, pull and store. Placing it heads down, close 

 together on a dry spot hi the garden, and covering 

 over some weeks later with straw or leaves, as high 

 as the roots.'and on this some s n\ sheltering all with 

 boards it will keep well until March. A small stock 

 for use, during winter, may be kept in a barrel or 

 box that is set up on eud in a dry place, and which is 

 banked all around and to its top with earth, and 

 covered with a close fitting double cover of boards. 



Celery. As long as gi*owing weather i-emains- 

 and Celery grows in pleasant autumn weather, 

 even though cool—keep earthed up. Before very 

 hard frosts, tlie main ^ ^ ' 



crop for winter and - _ - - 



spring use should go 

 into winter quartet's. 

 Some for using soon, 

 may be tied in bunches, 

 and packed in sand in 

 a cool, dark cellar. The 

 balance should go into 

 narrow trenches a foot 

 or less in width, and of 

 depth suitable to the 

 height of the stems, as 

 shown in the cut. These 

 must be located hi dry 

 ground, where there 

 w ill be no d a ng e r of 

 water accumulating 

 in them. Pack the Celery close in the trenches. 

 Cover as the weather giv»^\s cold with straw ami 

 boards, increasing the thickness as the season ad- 

 vances, to prevent hard freezmg and allow of easily 

 getting some as needed for use. In the Southern 

 States Celeiy may be left standing where it grew. 



Drains. See under Lawn and Flower Garden. 



Plants of Cabbage and Cauliflower raised from 

 seed sown in Septenil)er. may be wintered in cold 

 frames for an early crop next year. This hardly 

 pays. h'>wever. as plants from an early hot-bed. are 

 quite as good and less trouble. 



Rhubarb, liberally manured now, will advance all 

 the more raiiidly for it next spring, hoth in earliness 

 and quality. 



Roots, such as Horseradish, Parsnips. Salsify, 

 Scorzonera freezing does not hmt. Of these the 

 maiuY-rop may.be left where they gro^\-. over winter, 

 but some slutuld be dug and stored in the cellar for 

 winter use. 



Trenching. See under Flower Garden and Lawn. 



7/y 

 Celery in Trench. 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Asparagus uiay be forced as directed for Khubar-b 

 last montli. 



Grapery. Where fruit is to hang a long time, all 

 Iterries that show a touch of decay, must be cut out 

 from time to time, and the atnios[>here kept dry. 



in early houses, the vines of which are breaking, 

 an increase of heat must be gradually applied. The 

 stai*t shoukl be made at an average of .j5" at night. 

 with 10" higher during sunshine. 



Lettuce in'ids abundant airand about 55" of heat. 



Mushrooms. Directions for preparing the 

 material for beds, was given in the October issue. 

 With this on hand, make the Ix'ds under a green- 



house stage, in the cellar or any place where from 

 45^* to )k»* of heat can iM'liad. In making, distribute 

 the material in layers over the surface, beating 

 <h)wn firmly, the more solid the betl^'r, until some 

 H inches in depth is reached. To spawn the bed 

 while the heat in it is liigh, .say about 05°. woulil be 

 loss of tune. When a temperature of \W is i-eached, 

 insert the spawn in holes at about u foot apart, all 

 over the bed, healing lightly after this operation. 

 In H) days spread several inches of fine loam over 

 the l>ed. ami on this 3 or 4 inches of straw, then 

 wait for your crop, wliich will not \yi very long in 

 coming. 



Peaches grown for forcing, now nee<l a thorough 

 dres.sing: clean the house, prune the trees, tie in 

 and wash the stems, mulch the border, and give it 

 a thorough soaking with tepid water. Keep the 

 house close at night but arlmit air freelj' <m fine 

 days. 



Pine Apples iu fruit need to have a moist air and 

 good b..tt..ni heat. For the general stock alow 

 tempt*ratiirt' shmild in »w be maintained, say 55* for 

 a rniniiiium. witli never higher than 75"^ hy day. 



Strawberries. The potted plants that are still 

 staiuling outdoors, should be moved to the cold 

 frame before hard freezing weather, and the pots 

 plunged fn their rims in some light material tn keep 

 the np<itsri-nni freezing. Ilt-re they may remain a 

 montli longer iH-fuiv forcing. Give water sparingly 

 when it is needed. 



HQUto 





This being the People's Paper it is open to all their In- 

 quiren. bearing on Gardening. 



On the other hand, answers to published inquirea are 

 earnestly requested from readers. 



The editors and special contributors are ready to do a 

 large share of (he answering, but the experience of many 

 being more valuable than ofthefeic, hotoever varied that is. 

 and conditions and localities being so different, they prefer 

 to receive answers, even several of them to the same quea 

 tion, from I'caders everywhere. Don't hesitate to write 

 because yim may feel you are no fine writer: give facts and 

 ideas and the editors will see that they appear in credi- 

 table shape. 



In writing, give the number nf the question you are an- 

 sicering: your locality and name, the latter 7iot for publica- 

 tion uitless you desire. Write only on one side of the paper 



Flowers will be gladly named provided first, thatnomore 

 than three be sent at one time. Second, that these be fully 

 prepaid. Third, that sei'eral specimens of each reach us in 

 good shape. We cannot undertake to name fiorists' varies 



5— Easily Grown Plants. I would be glad to 

 have named a good Hst of easily grown window- 

 plants, for u jiersiin who is unable from (Hsease to 

 give them much care— An Invalid. 



6— Day or Plantain Lilies not Flowering. I 

 have a number of large strong plants, but they have 

 not tiowered in late yeai-s. What can be done to 

 bring them into bloom.— SIrs, H. C. F., Stmn Street 

 Bufffiln. X. y. 



7— Night Blooming Jasamine. I have a Night 

 Blooming .lasamint' Iliat has just gone out of blos- 

 som for the tirst rimr. What shaU I do with it? My 

 experience is hniit^'d as I liavp had it but one year. 

 Does it slip readily/— M. E. B.. cv,,s7/7e, X Y. 



8- Tuberous Begonias. How .shall I keep these 

 through the winter/ L'au the bulbs be dried off or 

 not"/ — J. C. B.. Ciiledniiia. Ohio. 



9— Coleus. Last winter I met a beautiful Coleus 

 that was said to have been grown in the window. I 

 have taken up several plants for my own window, 

 will someone tell nie the best treatnient for the win- 

 ter?— Mas. (;. L. W.. CVn7/(,r</e. Mo. 



10-Lachenalias, \h>\v should these be treated in 

 general and win -m si ion Id they be repotted? Mrs. M. B. 



11 -Hardy Ivy. Is the evergreen Ivy hardy as 

 far north as this place? Some say it is. othere de- 

 clare just the opjiosite. Will you please inform me 

 before next planting season?— S. S.. Jack.^oii. Mich. 



ANSWERS TO PAST INQUIRIES. 



1 -Green Growth on Pot Soil. Frequent si in-ing 

 of the carlli hy a sharji slick or i>eii-kuife will pre- 

 vent and be a remedy also.- Sister Gracioi's, De- 

 troit. Mirh. 



1— Green Growth on Soil. Scrape this and the 

 soil off to depth of one-half an inch, and replace 

 with fresh soil eonsisting of one-third shari) sand.— 

 A. H. K. 



2 Liquid Manures for Pot Plants. A tea made 

 from tlie sooi shjikt-n liom a slow pipe, applied once 

 a week is good. Also, jiour water over cow manure, 

 let it stand a day or two. then apply once a week. 

 Last winter 1 bought at the seed sl'ore. a line black 

 powder called Plant Fotni. and use<i it with good 

 effect. It is nicer to apjWy than either of theothei-s. 

 Sister (JRACior.s. I>rin>it\ Mich. 



3- Weeping Trees for Windy Place. Birches. 

 Wiers >hi|)It'. Wr.-piiiK^ Larch. Weeping Linden, and 

 the vaiions Weeping Khns would lie suitable.— L. R., 

 Geuevii. .V. y. 



3- Weeping Trees for Windy Place. I have both 

 the Cnt-Leavi'd Birch and the White Weeping Birch 

 growing on nn exposed knoll, and thev succeed well. 

 G. K. L.. Miliraiikcv, Wa. 



