OCTOBER. 



487 



Parkhurst, for Club gourd ; Miss Riddle, for yellow tomatoes ; J. Cros- 

 by, for celery and Drumhead cabbage ; T. Page, for cauliflower ; E. 

 M. Richards, for fancy gourds ; E. M. Richards, for Christiana melons ; 

 B. Dennis, for cauliflower, $1 each. — D. T. Curtis, Chairman. 



lorticultural ©peraiicns 



FOR OCTOBER. 

 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



With October come frosts and cool weather, which scon put a check 

 upon vegetation. It is now the season to prepare ground for spring, or for 

 transplanting the present autumn, which may be done quickly after the 

 middle of the month, or at least as soon as the trees lose their foliage. 

 Draining and trenching must not be neglected if fine fruit is an object, un- 

 less the soil is naturally deep and rich. 



Grape Vines in the greenhouse should now be cleared of as much of 

 their foliage as will separate easily from the stem by sweeping them, or 

 picking by hand ; prune oflT all green wood, and air the house as much as 

 possible in order to ripen the canes, on which depends the excellence of 

 next year's crop. Early houses may have the same attention, and if to be 

 started soon, the vines should be pruned, cleaned, and put in readiness for 

 forcing. Cold houses should be kept as dry as possible, especially if the 

 grapes are not all cut. Neglect no opportunity to air freely. 



Strawberry Beds, made last month, will require attention. If a fa- 

 vorable autumn, they will make young runners freely. Plants potted last 

 month for forcing should be shifted now into their fruiting pots. 



Figs in pots should have the protection of a cold grapery, or the cellar, 

 where the frosts will not injure the young wood. 



Fruit Trees in pots should be more sparingly watered, in order to get 

 good ripe wood. 



Fruit Trees may be transplanted this month, as above directed. 



Gathering Fruit, where there are many bearing trees, will require 

 attention. Do this in dry weather, and always in the morning if possible. 

 Pack in perfectly clean barrels or boxes, or carry to the fruit room. 



Cankerworms will begin to run after the first hard frosts; see that the 

 trees are well protected with tar or composition. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



With the first occurrence of hard frost, the garden is shorn of many of 

 its most decorative objects ; the dahlias and balsams are the first to feel 

 cold nights, and their blackened tops are unsightly things ; cut them away 

 at once, the latter wholly and the former in part, as they ripen their roots 

 better than if headed down to the ground. Before such hard frosts all 

 tender things should be secured in frames. The houses will now be filled 

 with plants, and they should be put in good order as soon as possible ; do 



