238 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



that they might be thrown across the garden without 

 the ball being broken. The crowns will be firm, well 

 developed, like the end of a man's thumb, the foot- 

 stalks of the leaves strong and short, supporting broad, 

 dark-green, leathery leaves, — sure criterions of the 

 plants being in the best possible condition for forcing 

 the following spring. 



Should the weather be very wet in October, I would 

 recommend that the plants be placed in cold frames, 

 where they can be protected by glass from continuous 

 rains, and fully exposed when the weather is fine. 

 When this cannot be done, lay them down on their 

 sides rather than expose them to continuous rains. 

 By the end of October they will have completed their 

 season's growth, and the object in regard to them 

 now is to rest them, and protect them in a cool state 

 from heavy rains and hard frost. Where cold frames 

 covered with glass can be spared for them, perhaps 

 they are best stored in them, having the pots plunged 

 in ashes, half-decayed leaves, or sawdust. They should 

 have plenty of air on all favourable opportunities ; and 

 during severe frost a single mat or a little dry straw 

 thrown over the glass is protection sufficient. When 

 cold frames or any cool place under glass could not 

 be spared, I have kept them perfectly safe by build- 

 ing them into ridges, laying one row on their sides 

 above the other, and packing between and round the 

 pots with ashes or sawdust. In this way they escape 

 rains, and are preserved from getting dry or excited, 

 and in times of severe frosts are easily covered with 

 mats of straw, easily uncovered in fine weather, and 

 as easily got at when required for forcing. Wher- 

 ever wintered, the soil should never be allowed to get 

 dry, or the roots will suffer severely. 



