JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
October 21, 1880. ] 
379 
in the evening, and only taken off during fine days. When found to 
be dry, either pack away in dry sand in a shed, outhouse, or dry cellar, 
or they may be built into conical-shaped heaps on a dry spot, covered 
lightly with long fresh straw, over this being thrown a layer of earth 
to be well beaten on. The straw, where it meets at the points, should 
be arranged above the soil so as to form a funnel, which, though 
impervious to rain, will yet form an outlet for any vapour, which, if 
confined, might lead to fermentation. When lifting the Beet select 
all the smallest roots with foliage intact, and bed them in till they 
can be used in the flower garden in such a manner as will shortly be 
advised. 
Late Potatoes. —Nothing is to be gained by leaving these in the 
ground after this date, and much may be lost by damage from severe 
frost. All that are now sound may be safely stored away. The ware 
of those of table size should go into one heap, and the middlings 
into another, or at all events enough of these for next year’s planting, 
and the chats, or the very smallest, be given to the pigs or boiled for 
the poultry. Potatoes may either be stored in heaps in dry sheds, 
where they can be well covered with straw during the prevalence of 
severe frost. Unless the sheds are much sheltered and well built it 
is really advisable to line the walls and floors with straw as the tubers 
are being put in, as this may eventually save much labour. Bailing 
sheds they may be thrown into heaps, covered with straw, and when 
dry covered with earth, leaving the funnel outlets as advised for the 
Beet and Carrots. 
Various. —Parsnips are usually left in the ground, the only effect 
that frost has on them being to make them sweeter. In some instances 
they are lifted and stored in common with the above kinds. Turnips, 
again, are perfectly hardy in the southern counties, and may be left 
on the ground. They should, however, be lifted and stored if found 
to be growing too large, especially if the successional sowings fail. 
The autumn Cauliflowers are turning in almost simultaneously, and 
to prolong the crop it is advisable to lift some that are not very 
forward, and to bed them in where they will be cooler and also con¬ 
venient for covering over during frosty nights with mats or other 
material. The caterpillars must still be looked after, as they soon 
disfigure Cauliflowers. Endive is now becoming extremely useful. 
The Moss-curled requires but little blanching, but the Green-curled 
and other large varieties should, when dry, be either covered with 
tiles, boards, or pots, or be tied up with matting in the same way as 
some Lettuces are tied. The Broad-leaved Batavian are the hardiest, 
and therefore should be reserved for the very latest supply. It is 
very advisable to lift a quantity of each variety, also of any full- 
grown Lettuce there maybe, and pack away rather closely in a frame. 
A great quantity can be stored in a three-light frame ; if occupied 
previously with either Melons or Cucumbers so much the better, as 
the soil will suit them. To avoid bruising the leaves lightly tie up 
with matting; lift with a good ball of soil, pack them in closely, 
loosen the ties, and water in should the soil be dry ; give abundance 
of air, blanch them as required, and look closely after mice, as they 
are very fond of the hearts. Endive may also be stored in open 
sheds, but they are much crisper taken from the moist frames. Con¬ 
tinue earthing up Celery as the inner growth advances, always 
selecting a dry time for the operation, preventing as much as possible 
the soil running into the hearts, and rounding-off as well at the final 
earthing-up. The Asparagus when quite yellow should be cut down, 
and then all weeds cleaned off, a good dressing of half-decayed 
manure given, and cover lightly with soil taken from the sides or 
otherwise. The decaying leaves of Brussels Sprouts and other 
winter greens and old Cauliflower stalks to be cleared off. 
GREENHOUSES. 
Potting Bulbs. —The present is a good time to pot those not intended 
to be forced, which in the case of many amateur's will include the 
whole stock of Hyacinths, Narcissuses, Tulips, Crocuses, Snowdrops, 
Ixias, Lachenalias, and Scillas. The soil suitable for the whole may 
consist of two parts good turfy loam to one of well-decomposed 
horse droppings or other manure, with a good addition of sharp sand 
or road grit. The pots must be clean and well drained, and in potting 
always place some of the roughest of the soil over the crocks. 
Hyacinths .—Eor ordinary decorative purposes the 5-inch pots will 
be found the best size in which to grow these, but 6-inch pots are 
usually preferred for those grown for exhibition, and which as a 
matter of course are selected bulbs of the best description. When 
potting fill the pots nearly full of soil, sprinkling some sand in the 
centre, on this place the bulb, and press it firmly into the soil till it 
is very slightly below the level of the rim, the bulb being finally 
about three parts covered with soil. It is very important that they 
be potted somewhat firmly, or otherwise when the roots start they 
are apt to raise the bulb, which necessitates repotting. 
Hyacinths in Glasses. —To prolong the display it is advisable to 
place bulbs in the proper and easily procured glasses at intervals 
of about fourteen days. The glasses should be filled so that the 
water nearly touches the bulb, and be at once placed in a cool dark 
place for a few days to induce the formation of roots prior to the 
expansion of leaves and flower spike. 
Narcissus. —Strong varieties of these, with corresponding large 
bulbs, may be either grown singly in 5-inch pots or three bulbs in 
8-inch pots. Pot similarly to Hyacinths. 
Tulips. —These may be grown either in 5-inch or 6-inch pots> 
placing three bulbs in the former and six in the latter, one in the 
centre and the remainder disposed round the sides. They should be 
firmly pressed into the soil, allowing the points to protrude slightly, 
and the fullest sides of the bulbs should be on the outside, so as to 
give the points and consequently the blooms an inward tendency. 
Crocuses and Snowdrog>s. —The best sizes in which to pot these are 
the 4-inch and 5-inch pots, the number placed in each varying 
according to the size of the bulbs. As a ride four or six of the former 
may be placed in the respective sizes, and the Snowdrops and Scillas 
somewhat thicker. 
Lachenalias, Ixias, and Sparaxis. —These are not quite so common 
as the foregoing, but all are worthy of more extended cultivation. 
Place six or seven of the first in 5-inch pots, and three of either of 
the other two in 3-inch pots, or seven in 5-inch pots. The Lachenalias 
may be disposed all over the under sides of hanging baskets, and 
when thus employed are remarkably effective. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Francis and Arthur Dickson & Sons, The Upton Nurseries, Chester. 
—Catalogue of Select Roses. 
George Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, Kent.— Catalogue of Fruit Trees. 
George Cooling & Son, Bath.— Catalogue of Roses, Fruit Trees, and 
Shrubs. 
o 
TO CORRESPONDENTS 
*** All correspondence should be directed either to “ The Editors ” 
or to “ The Publisher.” Letters addressed to Mr. Johnson or 
Dr. Hogg often remain unopened unavoidably. We request that 
no one will write privately to any of our correspondents, as doing 
so subjects them to unjustifiable trouble and expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions relat¬ 
ing to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, and 
should never send more than two or three questions at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the post, 
and we do not undertake to return rejected communications. 
Tea Rose Election {Planter ).—The varieties named in the list published 
last week were selected for their general usefulness, and not for their value as 
exhibition blooms. They will be therefore admirably adapted for your purpose, 
and you may safely plant as many of them as you require in your garden in 
Surrey. The result of the election of twenty-four varieties will probably be 
published next week. 
Zonal Pelargoniums in Winter (G. S .).—If you desire the plants to 
flower freely they must have a very light position in a house in which the tem¬ 
perature never falls below 45° at night, and if it is 50° in mild weather all the 
better, with a proportionate rise during the day. Some varieties will flower in a 
cooler temperature, but will not possess the freshness of growth and size of 
trusses that render the plants so striking in midwinter. "We have seen Mr. 
Cannell’s Pelargonium house a “blaze of bloom” in January, the trusses of 
some of the varieties being 6 inches and more in diameter, and the colour ex¬ 
tremely rich. 
Mexican Potatoes {Henry Peto ).—These are referred to on page 176 of 
our issue of August 19th, 1880, as being grown successfully by Captain Mayne 
