
174 
KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

My head had struck against a chair in the 
fall, with such force as to stun me. How 
long I remained unconscious, I know not; 
but I can well remember, on recovering my 
senses, the kind anxiety evinced by some 
one who knelt over me with a sponge and 
cold water, &c., by his side. Nor shall I 
eyer forget his mild yet hearty ‘‘Cheer up, 
‘ Charlie,’ my man!” 
I did cheer up, and tried to stand, but 
could not. My leg was broken. It was 
indeed fortunate for me that you had been 
sent for to give your opinion on my consti- 
tution and qualities.* You had arrived just 
previous to my fall, and had applied the 
means to restore me to consciousness. When 
you pronounced my leg to be broken, every 
one crowded round to pity me, and several 
hands were put out towards me; but the pain 
was so intense, from the broken bone, and 
the fear of punishment so fresh in my mind, 
that, in self-defence, I snapped at them, and 
I believe, really did bite you; but you took 
me in your arms, seemingly regardless of my 
anger. 
Here, Mr. Editor, I shall wait a little 
month. You shall have the resumé in your 
next. Yours, faithfully, 
Sept, 20, 1853. CHARLIE. 
* It must be borne in mind, that ‘‘ Charlie” 
is here addressing his doctor, Mr. Kent, the 
Veterinary Surgeon, who takes down the narra- 
tive from “‘ Charlie’s”’ dictation. 

HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. 
THE CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER. 
The fall of the leaf, cold moruings, bright 
days, and “crisp” evenings, tell us plainly 
that we must prepare for coming winter. 
Nature has been very lavish this year in 
supplying us with an abundance of fruit. 
We must now proceed to take care of it. 
The principal operations of this month 
consist in storing Apples and Pears, and 
various vegetable roots ; planting bulbs, and 
sheltering tender plants. 'The best criterion 
for gathering late fruit is, the ease with which 
they leave the tree. In gathering, keep 
each kind separate; and handle them with 
the greatest care, as upon this their keeping 
very much depends. Codlins and other 
kitchen sorts liable to shrivel had better be 
laid carefully in small heaps and covered 
with straw. They willthus keep longer and 
plumper, retaining their weight. The best 
material to lay Apples or Pears upon is 
Fern, or Straw perfectly dry and free from 
mouldiness. A dry room, a cellar, or any 
other place if it can be found less influenced 
by the weather, is the best situation to keep 
them in; but for the most valuable late- 



keeping Apples or Pears, the following plan 
cannot be too strongly recommended :—Get 
some fine pit-sand ; and heat it hot, to dry it 
and destroy any vegetable remains it con- 
tains. Then procure some large jars or 
garden-pots ; put a little sand when cool in 
the bottom, and then a layer of fruit,— 
barely touching each other. Then fill up 
between them with the sand until the vessels 
are full. They may now be placed in the 
bottom of a cupboard, or any other place 
where they will be safe from frost and kept 
dry. The best and most perfect fruit should 
be selected for this purpose, which may be 
ascertained after they have been gathered a 
short time. 
FRUIT. 
Commence pruning Gooseberry and Currant 
bushes. Towards the end of the month, they 
may also be transplanted. The best soil for them 
is a rich deep loam, on a dry bottom, although 
they will grow in any soil. They should have 
some well-rotted manure dug in about them, every 
second or third year. In pruning Gooseberries, 
those intended to produce large fruit for exhibi- 
tion must have their young wood cut out very 
thin, and be shortened back about half its length ; 
but others intended to produce heavy crops 
should have the young wood left its whole length, 
only thinning out the middle of the tree, and re- 
are any branches that cross close to each 
other. 
Few private growers produce such fine Currants 
as market-gardeners ; which is attributable, in a 
creat measure, to the inferior methods of pruning 
pursued. The best plan is, after the head of the 
bush is formed (by allowing several main branches 
to rise at regular distances of six or eight inches 
from each other), to prune the laterals or side 
branches, produced every year, back to one or 
two eyes. The spurs, if they become very thick, 
should be thinned out, and the leaders shortened 
about half their length, first observing the direc- 
tion of the bud you intend to cut to, which should 
point outwards. This is of consequence; as it 
will keep the heart of the bushes open, and must 
be attended to when shortening back Goose- 
berries. Those of a pendulous habit must be cut 
to a bud on the upper side of the branch; and, 
indeed, in every kind of pruning, the direction of 
the terminal eye is of great importance. 
Currants can scarcely be pruned too close. As 
soon as the prunings are collected, burn them, 
and spread the ashes beneath the bushes. A thin 
coating of hot lime dug in about the stems is of 
service against the caterpillars. ‘The branches of 
Black Currants may be thinned out, but not 
shortened. Lay in by the heels some of the 
strongest shoots, if required, for propagating. 
Top-dress Strawberry-beds with well-rotted dung. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Alterations.—Determine on, and get carried out at 
every opportunity. 
Antirrhinums.—A few of the first struck cuttings 
may be potted off into thumbs. 
Auriculas.—Now make ready your winter quarters. 
See that your frames are in good order, that 

