October Looking Forward 



beneath the soil, one-third only being above the ground. 

 A border in the open garden or behind a wall facing 

 north or east forms a suitable position. When the 

 ground has been dug, a trench 6 inches deep, and having 

 a firm straight back, is prepared, and a layer of sand 

 scattered in the bottom. The cuttings are placed against 

 the back of the trench, their bases resting on sand ; they 

 should be about 8 inches apart. A little soil is placed 

 against them and trodden firmly, and the trench is filled. 

 Rambler Roses, Chinas, vigorous Hybrid Perpetuals 

 and Hybrid Teas usually prove most satisfactory from 

 cuttings, though it is worth while experimenting with 

 any favourite variety. It is not usual to disturb the 

 cuttings until the following autumn. Of shrubs that 

 may be increased in a similar way at this season are the 

 following : Privet, Mock Orange (Philadelphus), Flower- 

 ing Currant (Ribes), Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla), 

 Porsythia or Golden Bell, Kerria (Jew's Mallow), Spiraea, 

 Deutzia, and Viburnum or Guelder Rose. 



Laying Turf is rather a troublesome task, and most 

 failures are probably due to lack of patience. If turves 

 are laid immediately the ground is dug, inequalities 

 of surface are certain to result ; it is far better to wait 

 a week or two, until the soil has settled to its normal 

 level, and meantime to make it firm by rolling. Turves 

 ought not to be laid in such a way that the edges of those 

 in one row come in line with the edges of those in the 

 next row ; the ends of the turves in the second row 

 should be at the middle of those in the first row, and 

 thus in a line with those of the fourth row. It is a 

 good plan to cover newly-laid turf with a sprinkling 

 of sifted soil ; it will be washed into the crevices during 

 winter, and helps to consolidate the lawn. Newly-laid 

 turf must be well beaten down, preferably by means of 

 a proper turf beater made of wood. A simple way to 

 renovate a worn grass edge is to cut off a strip of the 

 turf some 10 inches wide and turn it round so that the 



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