336 



JOTJBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



[ October 25, 136i. 



them perfect. A few days before the end of September 

 most likely they were the right height, and most probably 

 were so by the 1st of October. It was easy to see that 

 heights were studied carefully, as well as colours, a matter 

 of great importance in a symmetrical arrangement. 



Being a distinct garden for flowers, what we have said 

 above of breadth of view does not at all apply, as it forms of 

 itself a separate feature of interest. . Beautiful as it looked, 

 however, and well as it was managed, two changes seemed 

 to be necessary to render it complete. The garden is more a 

 parallelogram than a square, being something like 3S yards 

 by 34 yards. The whole plan is beautifully balanced and 

 harmonious, with the exception of the four outsides, all of 

 which are different. The two opposite sides should be the 

 same. There need be no difficulty with the north and the 

 south side. To make a handsome chain -border on the' west 

 side, as well as next the mansion, would require a little more 

 encroaching on the lawn. To do this would necessitate the 

 removal of a Horse-Chestnut tree at the north-west corner, 

 more valued than its appearance would indicate — more espe- 

 cially as there are better and more interesting trees in the 

 background ; and also the taking away of a Beech tree or 

 two at the south-west corner. The removal of these would 

 also be an advantage to the high -keeping of the garden, as 

 the leaves of the Chestnut soon begin to fall, and every 

 yellow leaf in that garden would mar its beauty. Then, 

 secondly, to secure the idea of completeness the garden should 

 be distinctly bounded. This is done now on the south side 

 by the terrace wall and vases ; on the east side by the man- 

 sion, fronted by the broad walk of gravel, there being room 

 for a similar walk between the garden and wall on the south 

 side. On the north side there is the wall for Boses, the top 

 of which meets the steep sloping bank of turf northward ; 

 but on the west side there is no boundary — no background 

 to reflect and concentrate the brightness of colouring. A 

 few yards of balustrading on the top of the north wall, close 

 to the mansion, and in character with it, furnish the key 

 note as to what is required. Continue that balustrading all 

 along that north wall, a similar balustrading, but on a lower 

 level, on the west side, and either continue it along the 

 south terrace wall, or multiply the vases there by placing 

 smaller ones between the rich stone sculptured ones. 



(To be continued.) B. Fish. 



WOEK FOE THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAF.DEN. 



Make it a rule never to allow the haulm, leaves, &c, 

 of plants to remain on the ground when the crop is 

 gathered, a convenient place outside the garden should be 

 appropriated for the garden refuse ; and before the leaves, 

 &c, are wheeled to the heap, let a sprinkling of ashes or 

 charred refuse be placed over each layer, by which a heap 

 of valuable manure will be formed. While the ground 

 is dry, proceed with digging up vacant spaces, throw- 

 ing it into ridges that the land may be more effectually 

 exposed to the influence of frosts. It should be a rule to 

 double-spit or trench land every alternate year at least; 

 but when two crops are taken off the same place yearly, 

 trenching should alternate with digging each time the 

 ground is cropped. Cauliflowers, as they are easily damaged 

 by frost go over them frequently, and tie the leaves over 

 the advancing heads. A portion of the less forward may 

 be removed to spare pits or frames to succeed, or laid in 

 deeply in a sheltered place, with their heads inclining to- 

 wards the north, to be protected with straw or mats from 

 frost. Cauliflowers under glasses or in frames may during 

 the mild weather have air very freely. Carrots, _ having 

 finished their growth should be taken up, and stored away 

 for use. Potatoes, those that have been taken up and stored 

 should be looked over and sorted ; one rotten Potato will 

 infect half a dozen. Others not yet taken up may now be 

 dug. Spinach, go over the winter Spinach with the hoe, 

 and follow with a dressing of soot. This useful winter vege- 

 table requires strong stimulating manures to have it in 

 perfection. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



The planting of fruit trees either in the open quarters or 

 against walls may be commenced as soon as we have a good 



soaking rain. In planting odd trees between old-established 

 ones against walls, a hole of considerable size should be 

 made for the young tree, and refilled with fresh compost. 

 In preparing new soil for planting fruit trees endeavour to 

 keep it as dry as possible, and choose a dry day for planting 

 that the soil may be in a favourable state for the growth 

 of fresh roots during the autumn. The present time, after 

 rain, is likewise the most favourable for relifting and root- 

 pruning such trees as are too luxuriant and require check- 

 ing, to induce a fruitful habit. We prefer lifting the trees 

 entirely, unless they are very large, to cutting off the roots 

 as they stand. After shortening the roots proportionately 

 to the strength of the tree, spread them out near the 

 surface, and fill in with compost, on which a mulching of 

 half -rotten dung should be spread to prevent frost from pene- 

 trating the ground. Though the above is often necessary 

 with existing trees planted in too rich or too deep borders, 

 it should be borne in mind that it is only a palliative 

 measure, and in the course of a few years will require re- 

 peating, unless measures are at the same time taken to 

 make the border shallower or poorer, as the case may be. 

 We are of opinion that wall trees would be more fruitful 

 were their roots confined to borders of very limited extent 

 compared with what is generally the case, and by which the 

 balance between the roots and branches could be adjusted 

 without the trouble and expense of root-pruning. Clear off 

 the remaining leaves from wall trees to give the wood the 

 advantage of sun and air to assist its ripening. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Before the flower-beds and borders have received the first 

 shock from the approaching winter, the final remarks for the 

 season should be made as to any re-arrangement of height, 

 colour, or kind in the ensuing spring. This is more especially 

 necessary when alterations of any kind in the design of the 

 garden are intended. When the beds are cleared of decayed 

 matter, a quantity of such biennials as the dark Wallflower, 

 Sweet Williams, &c, may be planted, or bulbs for a late 

 display. Let Dahlias, Carnations, and tender plants of all 

 kinds be looked to, it may be necessary to pot some things 

 for spring propagation. Onamental climbers on trellises, 

 arcades, &c, in blossom, should have protection on nights 

 of a frosty character. Much valuable blossom may some- 

 times be insured by very simple means, as it not unfre- 

 quently happens that after one or two severe nights the 

 weather becomes mild for weeks. 



CONSERVATORY AND GREENHOUSE. 



As the beauty of out-door scenery passes away before 

 the storms of autumn, the conservatory should be made as 

 attractive as possible, as it will now become in some measure 

 the only place where flowering plants can be seen with com- 

 fort in unfavourable weather. To assist, let the requisite 

 arrangements, both as regards watering and changing the 

 plants, take place early in the day that the effects of the 

 watering may be removed, and an agreeable dryness pervade 

 the house before it is visited by the family. No pains must 

 likewise be spared to keep the house gay, by introducing 

 plants in succession as they come into bloom, including a 

 portion of the stove plants which have been grown expressly 

 for this purpose. A little gentle forcing will bring the dif- 

 ferent varieties of Epiphyllum into bloom, and with the ad- 

 dition of Chrysanthemums, late Fuchsias and Pelargoniums, 

 Pancratiums, Amaryllis, Mignonette, Neapolitan Violets, &c, 

 a tolerably gay appearance may be maintained until the 

 time when forced plants will be more generally available. 



STOVE. 



The weather has been most favourable for ripening the 

 succulent shoots of free-growing plants. When opportunity 

 offers, therefore, do all you can to ripen the young wood, for 

 it is in this way only that you can expect to get well through 

 the winter. The temperature of the stove may now decline 

 by night to 65°. 



FORCING-PIT. 



Beep the temperature of this structure by night at 60°, 

 and increase it by day, if necessary by fire heat, 15? above 

 the night temperature. This will assist Nature in flowering 

 the few plants and bulbs which bloom in anything like per- 

 fection during dark November. 



PITS AND FRA3TES. 



Everything should be finally arranged here as soon as 



