OCTOBER. 



139 



growth generally. We examined some, the tops of which had died away, and 

 f ound the roots perfectly sound. 



I think it was in a recent Number of the Journal of Horticulture I saw 

 the failure attributed to the imperfect ripening of the roots last autumn ; but 

 as I have several thousand seedlings, and small roots, and offsets of last year's 

 home growth looking well, I am not inclined to attach undue importance to 

 this theory ; but, still, I so thoroughly feel the justice of the argument that I 

 mean to protect my beds through the autumn, by putting over them the iron 

 framework and covers I use for Tulip-beds. I think the drier and warmer the 

 roots are now kept the better the bulbs will swell and mature themselves. 

 No more water for this year ; and if I could apply warmth underneath them, I 

 would do anything to assist the roots in early attaining maturity. In cold wet 

 districts especially this protection is, I am persuaded, most desirable. We 

 shall, in all probability, have a wet autumn after so much dry weather ; if so, 

 the bulbs will run small generally. I hope these few remarks will bring out 

 other more matured expressions of opinion on the failure in the Gladiolus this 

 year, for the flower is becoming so universally popular that all difficulties in 

 the way of its successful culture should be removed. 



Shipley. William Dean. 



COVERING VINE-BORDERS. 



In reply to a correspondent who signs himself " Yorick," we furnish for 

 his, and the benefit of our readers generally, the following particulars on 

 covering Vine-borders : — 



"Yorick" has come for advice at the very time we are moving in this 

 ourselves ; and taking a vinery of Black Hamburghs, apparently in the same 

 stage, we are applying a thorough coating of the very best farmyard 

 manure, which we got by waiting until the rough is taken off, securing the 

 short at the bottom, no matter how green or full of moisture. This was 

 wheeled upon the border on the 17 th of last month, and forked gently in with 

 a " Parker's " digging-fork. Where the roots are come in contact with, the 

 fork is worked about to get a little manure under ; and if it is not covered, 

 at least a little fresh soil is put all over ; but when the roots are near the sur- 

 face great care is required. Where this is not the case, if no fresh soil can 

 be added, the dung is best well dug-in. We have frequently used fresh horse- 

 droppings on cold wet borders with the best effect, but to go back to the fork- 

 ing -in as finished. We leave the border in this state up to the end of October, 

 when we invariably put a good covering of dry fern. If this is not to be 

 obtained in quantity, we would cover over the surface, and put long litter or 

 straw on the top ; and, if there is none to be got, put first a covering of 

 branches over the soil, and thatch them over ; but in no instance, if it can be 

 avoided, put long dung or wet leaves in contact with the soil, which it sours, 

 and in many cases is the commencement of stagnant borders. Fern is by far 

 the best covering upon soil that we know of ; besides keeping the border dry, 

 it allows the air to circulate all over the surface. 



In the time between this and the end of October the rain will have settled 

 down the surface, and carried some of the essence of the manure to the roots, 

 which will be useful in the winter months, when they are laying in a store for 

 the coming movement. By the time the covering is removed in spring, the' 

 dung is incorporated with the soil, and will keep on adding nourishment to the 

 roots for the season. 



Shutters and glass lights we do not consider so good, unless under very 



