332 L caf -Mould. — Marigolds. 



Grapes are the latest and the best of all the garden fruits, the crowning 

 gift of a bountiful Providence to those who follow the occupation selected 

 by the all-wise Creator as best suited to man. No other fruit affords so 

 much wholesome nutriment, and is so generally relished by old and young, 

 as good, well-ripened grapes ; and where such varieties as the Delaware, 

 lona, and Diana, can be successfully grown, this fruit ought to be furnished 

 in abundance for the table during the entire three months of autumn. The 

 Diana can be kept in good condition till Christmas if desired. 



M. B. Bateham. 



Leaf-Mould. — The leaves should be laid in a heap, not very thickly ; 

 and, being left a few months, they will have decomposed sufficiently to be 

 used for mixing with soil as compost for plants. If turned over occasion- 

 ally, they will decompose more rapidly, and still more speedily if a little 

 loam is mixed with them at each turning. Leaves at the end of twelve 

 months are usually sufficiently decomposed for potting-purposes ; but they 

 are not thoroughly so until the second }ear. For bedding-plants, the com- 

 post should consist of two-thirds loam and one-third leaf-mould. Leaf- 

 mould is too open, and becomes too close and saturated, owing to the 

 frequent waterings, to be employed alone. 



Marigolds. — There are no more useful flowers for autumn-blooming. 

 The early frosts affect them but little ; and they are bright and gay long after 

 the dahlias, heliotropes, and salvias are black and withered. The French 

 are better than the African, and seem to stand more frost ; the English is 

 more hardy, but less showy; and the ne^^ dviZLxi {Tagcfes si^iala pnmila) 

 is best of all. Though their strong smell is disagreeable to many, yet it is 

 only perceived when the plant is rubbed ; and the flowers last for many 

 weeks in water, preserving their colors perfectly, and may thus be kept in 

 the house long after the frost has destroyed them in the garden. 



