A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



47 



CHAPTER VIL 



OCTOBER. 



" The harvest now is over; the summer days are gone ; " 

 the floricultural performance is finished, and nothing remains 

 to be done except to clear up the ruins. Before we do so, 

 two plants must be saved from the wreck. The deutzia, 

 when the frost kills its leaves, and the astilbe japonica, when 

 its top fades away, must be dug up, put into large pots, and 

 after being watered, sent to keep the tea-roses and gerani- 

 ums company in the cellar, safe from frost, mice, and 

 daylight. If it is desired to have a fuchsia bloom in Febru- 

 ary, it must now be procured from the florist and treated in the 

 same way, — sent to rest, and sleep till the spring returns 

 in January, when the season turns. What this means will 

 be explained in due time. 



CLEARING VP THE GARDEN 



should be done in October ; all traces of the dead plants 

 taken away, and the borders raked clean. Over the lawn 

 and border, and around every rose and shrub, a good coat- 

 ing of coarse manure must be spread, there to remain till 

 April. This may seem costly advice ; but without such a 



