I { 



THOMAS MEEHA3M, Editor. 

 W. G. P. BBmCKLOB, Publisher. 



NOVEMBER, 1867. 



VOL. IX. --HO.il 



FLOWEH-GA^DISN AND PLEASURS- 



Most of the tender plants that wo desire to pre- 

 serve over the season, have now been lifted from 

 the borders, and removed to winter-quarters, — and 

 in a few weeks the beds will present a rough and 

 forsaken appearance. It is too often the practice to 

 leave the borders just in this neglected condition 

 till spring-time returns. But the person of true 

 taste finishes up the beds, and makes all tidy. In 

 the absence of summer flowers, even order pleases. 



As soon as the first white frost has awakened 

 Dahlia haves.ih.Q stems should be cut back to a few 

 inches of the ground, the label securely fastened, 

 and the root placed away in a cool place secure from 

 frost till next March, when it should be "sprouted," 

 divided and again set ont. Madeira vines, tigridias, 

 gladiolus, tuberoses, &c., require the same atten- 

 tion. 



As soon as the ground gets caked with the first 

 real frost, herbaceous plants should be protected. 

 Though hardy, they will repay this extra care,— 

 mostly natives of woods or grassy places in their 

 native State, they expect a covering of leaves or 

 dry grass. We find dry leaves the best material for 

 the purpose, a few inches in a sufficient depth,— a 

 little soil being thrown on to prevent the leaves 

 blowing away. Where such material is not at hand, 

 the common garden soil may be drawn over them, 

 as before recommended in these pages. 



FOROI^a FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



Few subjects are better worth the attention of 

 nurserymen, market-gardeners and amateurs, than 

 this very interesting branch of gardening ; but it 

 has been strangely and unaccountably neglected. 

 Whether as a source of pleasure or profit, it is an 

 equally delightful occupation ; and the considerable 

 space we intend to occupy with the subject will, we 

 trust, be the means of awakening some enthusiasm 

 in its behalf 



Grapes every one wishes to grow. For early 

 forcing, they are the best grown in pots, — that is, 

 where fire-heat is used ; when a " cold grapery" is 

 employed to produce them, they are usually grown 

 in the open ground. This is a good season to pre- 

 pare for the latter mode of culture, so as to have 

 everything ready to plant out the vines next spring. 

 Houses can now be constructed from one to three 

 dollars per running foot, and capable of growing 

 grapes to perfection, and, in many places, from fifty 

 cents to one dollar a pound can be very readily ob- 

 tained for the fruit. The borders for the vines need 

 not be expensive. A dry bottom is essential, which 

 must be obtained either by draining, or, what is 

 better, elevating the border above the surrounding 

 soil. A very durable and substantial border may 

 be made by taking out the soil two and a half feet 

 deep, and filling in with bones and broken stone, 

 lumps of charcoal, brickbats, or any coarse material, 

 to the depth of one foot, then filling in the remain- 

 der three inches deep with sods from an old pasture, 

 to which about a third of well-decomposed cow or 

 horse-manure has been added. The border may 

 extend under the vinery, and some ten to fifteen feet 

 beyond. 



Pot vines are usually fru ted the year following 

 that in which they are raised. Plants struck last 

 spring, and grown all summer, will now be ready, 

 either to put away till wanted in spring, or started 

 at once, where sufficient heat is at command. They 

 should be at once pruned to the desired length, 

 usually about six feet, the laterals taken off, the 

 canes painted with a mixture of sulphur and soap, 



