OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
215 
Lilium, varieties. Amongst an extensive collection of seedling Liliums reared by Mr. 
Groom, of Clapham Rise, from seed of L. atrosanguineum fertilized with L. bulbiferum, we 
noticed some time ago many very handsome flowers of a rich crimson fleckered with large dark 
blotches. The height of the plants varies from about six to eighteen inches. We were 
particularly struck with their magnificent appearance growing in beds of considerable extent, 
and planted rather closely. Their richly-coloured flowers and dwarf habit, render them well 
suited for planting in large masses on rockwork, or here and there upon the outskirts of a 
shrubbery. 
OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
The general aspect of the garden now begins to indicate the near approach of winter. Most 
of the splendid flowers that have spread out their beauties through the summer months, if not 
already disfigured by frost, will be beginning to fade. The leaves of the forest trees are never 
more lovely in their brightest green than now that they are fading, and each assuming tints 
peculiar to itself. 
The present time, therefore, will be the most appropriate for observing the effects of planta- 
tions already formed, and acquiring ideas for the formation of new ones. Each kind of tree 
must be noticed, and how the tints of its foliage harmonise or contrast with the foliage of those 
around it. This method will be found eminently serviceable, and will prove in the end much 
more satisfactory, than planting without any previous examination of the effect produced by 
certain intermixtures. 
A similar examination should also be extended to the flower-plots, if that work was not 
attended to in September. It is now somewhat late ; nevertheless, some idea may yet be formed 
from the remnants of summer beauty which still exist. The best way is to have a plan of the 
flower-beds sketched upon paper, and to make all the arrangements for planting each bed the 
succeeding season, whilst the effect created by last year's arrangements are still visible. Hence 
it will be easier to correct anything that appears objectionable, and to judge what would be the 
effect of any alterations that may suggest themselves, than if the revision be delayed till spring. 
Contemplated alterations in any part of the garden should also be determined upon now, and 
exactly noted down ; and they may be proceeded with as soon as leisure permits. Works of this 
kind should never be passed over till the spring months, when so many operations are crowding 
upon the attention. Besides, if completed early, the marks of them will be so much the sooner 
obliterated. 
All the beds should be cleared that contain tender plants, which are now either quite 
destroyed, or so far decayed as to be no longer objects of beauty ; unless, as in the case of the 
Dahlia, where the tubers are unripe, when the tops, if at all living, may be suffered to stand at 
least another month, to assist in their maturation. 
But although it is time to clear the beds of those plants which have been their ornament in 
summer and autumn, we by no means intend that the beds should be left unadorned through the 
winter. Immediately after they are cleared, and the soil has been newly pointed over, fresh 
plants should be brought from the reserve ground to lend some attraction through the winter. 
These must of course be dwarf-growing, and very hardy evergreen shrubs, such as the Vaccinium 
vitis idcea, Berberis aquifolium, Minorca Box, and dwarf Heaths. For a more copious list and 
other information upon the winter decoration of the flower-garden, the reader is referred to 
Vol. xi. p. 252. 
It is frequently difficult to procure stakes for tying up plants, in sufficient abundance. Hence 
it is the more needful to be careful to prevent them from decaying. As soon as they are no 
longer wanted in the ground they should be taken up, cleaned, and carefully laid by in some dry 
shed. It is a good plan to char the bottoms before they are stuck into the ground— it will pre- 
serve them from rotting. 
