SEASONABLE REMINDERS. 345 



radish, long scarlet, red and white turnip, French breakfast, black 

 Spanish; salsify; scorzonera; sea kale; spinach, prickly, New Zealand, 

 crach ; turnip, white stone, white nepaul, snowball, red American stone, 

 orange jelly, Laing's garden Swede ; potatoes, Brownell's, early rose, 

 white rough, snowflake, &c., are desirable sorts; rhubarb, Myatt's 

 Victoria. Also, herbs, sage, thyme. Tomato plants are to be found in 

 most gardens at this time, and, where good sorts only are grown, these 

 self-sown plants can be set out, but will require shelter during the cold 

 weather. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



Seasonable work. Budding is still in order. [See page 265]. Th stone 

 fruits operated on may have the bandages loosened and regulated, to 

 prevent them cutting into the wood. Go on budding the yellow mundy 

 and other late sorts ; as the fruit ripens and the buds swell, they ar ready 

 for operating. Grape harvesting for wine is in season. 



Fungus and Insect Enemies. They include codlin grub, " blight," and 

 other pests. [See Chap, xxiv.] The time is on for making war against 

 them, and it should not be neglected. Use lime sulphur clay paint freely 

 upon the trees after the leaves fall, and so clear out hosts of enemies. 



Transplanting. Towards the end of February, in the cooler districts, 

 transplanting of the orange tribe, loquats, guavas, cherimoyers, &c., may 

 be carried on, so as to allow the trees to settle and make some new roots 

 ere the cold weather sets in. 



Draining. This work can be carried out during cooler weather, and 

 wherever trees have been suffering, or have shown signs of root weakness 

 or disease, it is worth while examining into the state of the drainage. 



FLOWERS AND SHRUBS. 



Beauties in Season. Where the attention necessary to ensure success 

 has been given them, dahlias, amaranthus, cockscombs, &c., should offer 

 sights worth all the labour given previously. The dahlias still require 

 attention ; pinch or cut back, where necessary, and give liquid fertilizer 

 liberally ; the response will prove how good is the treatment. Thin'out 

 the weakly growths, and keep the shoots securely tied to stakes. 



Enemies. Set 3-inch pots, with a little soft hay, in an inverted position 

 on the stakes, as traps for snails and ear-wigs ; they are troublesome at this 

 season, and do great damage to Sowers. The same treatment applies to 

 autumn-flowering chrysanthemums ; caterpillars are the troublesome 

 pests to contend against with this class of plants. The surest remedy is 

 handpicking. As the stems of gladioli die down, lift and store the bulbs 

 in a cool place ; see that they are properly named. 



The Bulb Season. For the approaching bulb season, prepare beds 

 with well-rotted manure and leaf mould, and plant the following, not too 

 deep : Anemones, Ranunculus, Narcissi, Hcillas, and a few hyacinths for 

 winter flowering ; all these are more effective at the flowering season when 

 planted in groups in separate beds. See that the sites are well 

 drained, for if heavy rains should set in, and the soil becomes toddened 

 with water, then bulbs and tul>ers rot off. 



Propagating. Finish putting in soft-wooded cuttings as the weather 

 get* cooler; when rooted early, the plants are better able to stand through 

 the winter without extra protection. Carnations, pelargoniums, zonale 



