•is -J 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
therefore, we say, make the surface even, free 
from holes and inequalities of surface in a 
small way. It should be all rolled with a 
heavy roller, and turfs three feet long, one foot 
wide, and out all of a thickness, laid all over 
it. Commence at the edges of the beds and 
borders, which we presume to have been left 
pegged out, laying one width of turf very 
accurately to form the edge to the beds and 
borders. When this is done, the whole space is 
to be laid with turfs in straight lines, cutting 
the ends, to fit close up to the edging turfs, 
which are laid the way of the edging. These 
turfs must be pressed close up to each other 
with the rake, which is the most handy tool 
there is for the purpose, holding its back to 
the ground, and pushing its whole length of 
teeth to the edge of the last turf; continue 
this to the very last, and fit all close up. The 
turf should then be beaten with a turf mallet, 
which is made of a piece of slab or timber, of 
some two feet long, nearly one foot broad, and 
thick enough to hold a handle put in sloping, 
so that a blow can be hit with the whole sur- 
face of the mallet. The turf will be the better 
for watering, if it were at all dry when laid ; 
but it is always best to have the turf cut, if 
possible, the day it is to be used, or within a 
short time of its being used. As soon as there 
has been a good shower of rain to soak the 
turf well, a roller may be used with advantage. 
There is hardly any operation in gardening 
that makes so much show as well executed 
turfing. It is like laying down the carpet to 
the drawing-room. It gives a finish which 
nothing else supplies, and compared with 
which gravel walks are nothing. 
Alterations and New Gardens should 
be proceeded with in good earnest, and it 
must be a singular place indeed, if the gardener 
cannot see some room for improvement. In 
almost every case some rough ugly shrub or 
tree can be removed, and a handsome one put 
in its place, or some vacancies where good 
shrubs can be planted ; and gardeners and 
owners ought to feel alike interested in making 
improvements, and now is the time. 
Tulips ought to be planted as directed 
already ; few people, from choice, leave them 
out after the first week ; and for many years, 
round London, Lord-Mayor's day, the ninth 
of November, used to be considered the last on 
which it was wise to plant Tulips. 
Dahlias should be stored in dry sand, or 
in a dry cellar, or in some situation impervious 
to wet, heat, and frost, either of which is 
mischievous. Their labels should be made 
fast with copper wires ; for string, of any sort, 
will rot, and iron wire will rust. 
Chrysanthemums, in the houses, require 
water, to give the blooms strength. Those out 
of doors may be cut down as soon as the 
blooms have faded ; and, if the weather be 
severe, some litter should be thrown over 
them, to keep off the frost ; or it is better to 
pot them up, and put them under glass, par- 
ticularly as some of them are rather tender 
than otherwise. 
Auriculas, Carnations, Piccotees, 
Heartsease in pots, and Pansies in pots, 
require a continuance of the treatment already 
recommended, sparing supply of water, plenty 
of air, and a mere cover from hard frost and 
heavy rains. 
Fuchsias, Salvias, Verbenas, and other 
subjects intended to be left out all the winter, 
should be covered with litter to keep off the 
frost, or be otherwise, by hand glasses or other 
covers, protected. Where the stems of any- 
thing die quite down, tan or coal ashes will be 
found a good protection ; but where roots are 
very succulent or juicy, like those of the 
Dahlia, they are very susceptible of frost, and 
are better taken up. 
Choice Shrubs are greatly protected by 
litter round their stems ; and we have seen 
Sweet Bay, Arbutus, the Tea Plant, and some 
other tender subjects, which, in a young state, 
are easily damaged, protected by throwing 
Peas haulm all over them : even the Camellia 
Japonica has survived a considerable frost 
when so protected. We have also seen mats 
thrown over those of larger size with great 
success, but we doubt if it would save those 
things through some of our severe winters. 
Stirring the Borders, taking away all 
weeds, raking even, and cutting down all 
stems of decayed flowers, are necessary duties. 
Fill up the great vacancies with dwarf shrubs 
from pots, and dress them out for the winter, 
so as to be as smart as the season permits; and 
this with dwarf potted shrubs, which may be 
plunged or turned out of the pots altogether, 
until spring subjects are ready to take their 
places. 
Anemones. — If any are left in the ground 
so long as this, they must remain there until 
the summer, when the leaves shall have just 
died down, or turned quite yellow ; those 
which are now in the ground have thrown 
down their roots and shot out their branches, 
even if they have not actually come up, and 
any check would do mischief. Those which 
were taken up at the proper season may be 
planted. 
Ranunculuses of the common sorts, for 
early blooms, should be now planted; although 
they would neither come the proper season, 
nor of sufficient strength to exhibit, they are 
beautiful objects in the garden, in early spring. 
The Turban Ranunculus is very brilliant, and 
very early. 
Flower Roots of all kinds, intended to 
bloom early in spring, should be this month 
