1877. ] 
VILLA GARDENING FOR OCTOBER. 
237 
Earwigs are very apt to infest, and prey on the buds, and they need looking after. 
The leading shoots should be tied out to stakes, so that the air can fully 
circulate among the plants, which greatly helps to keep mildew in check. 
The Flower Garden. —During the month, such perennials and biennials as 
have been raised from seed should be planted out to stand the winter. Such 
things as Hollyhocks.^ Aqidlegias., Sweet Williams.^ Honesty.^ Polyanthus.^ Daisies.^ 
Foxgloves., Canterbury Bells., &:c., should find a place in every garden. Notwith¬ 
standing the dull, moist summer, the Hollyhock disease has been very prevalent, 
and many a plantation has been almost altogether destroyed. A disease some¬ 
thing similar in appearance to the Hollyhock disease has been very destructive in 
places. Very handsome border flowers in bloom now are found in Anemone japonica, 
its white variety, and that known as hyhrida., the late-flowering perennial Asters.^ 
Helianthus phmiosus jlore-pleno., Phloxes, and such like. A mixed border can 
have something in bloom almost all the year round. When spring gardening is 
earned out, by the use of Hyacinths., Tulips., Crocus., Forget-me-nots., Pansies., 
Violas., Silenes^ Daisies., &c.; all these things should be in the ground by the end 
of the month, to get established as quickly as possible. 
Cold Frames. —At no season of the year are cold frames so useful as just now. 
They should contain Auriculas., Polyanthus., Cinerarias., Calceolarias., Primulas., 
Cyclamen, and a hundred other things that will do well in pits. The pretty autumn 
Crocus speciosus has already thrown up its purple flowers, and the Colchicums 
are fast following suit. Crocus speciosus should be in every garden—a crocus that 
flowers in September is one to be prized. It is interesting to notice how active 
some members of the Primula family are getting ; and especially is this true of 
the Auricula, for it is prone to show up autumn trusses. This is a little vexing, 
and the best thing to do is to pinch off the truss only, leaving the stem to decay 
at leisure. Some of the high-coloured Primroses are sending up their flowers, 
but they invariably do this in autumn, blooming again in the spring. Air should 
be given in plenty when the weather is fine and open. Heavy rains should not 
be allowed to fall on the Auriculas, but other things will benefit by it, unless too 
heavy. A good many things that it is not advisable to repot will be benefited 
by top-dressing with some good soil. By means of a pointed stake, the surface 
soil should be loosened and removed, and its place filled up with good rich 
soil. 
Kitchen Garden,—Celery must be earthed up in dry weather, and where a 
little Endive is grown, the plants need tying up to blanch them. Lettuce, to 
stand the winter, should be planted out in a sheltered south border, on an early 
piece of land certainly. Winter Spinach must be kept clear of weeds, and they 
gi’ow rapidly enough just now; indeed, it has been a very trying season for 
kitchen gardeners. Clear away Pea and Bean haulm, and dig the ground. The 
Onion crop should be pulled during fine weather, and allowed to lie on the ground 
for two or three days to mature ; the bulbs should then be stored away in a dry 
cool, airy place. 
If a few ripe Grapes are hanging in the vinery, the atmosphere should be 
kept as dry and airy as possible. It is well to look over the bunches occasionally, 
to cut out any decaying berries. Many a villa gardener who has the accommo- 
modation endeavours to force a few Strawberries. The plants growing in pots 
for this purpose should now be kept moderately dry, to ripen the crowns during 
the autumn. Apples and Pears should be gathered, and stored away when ripe; 
and as there is a great scarcity of these popular fruits, the crop should be looked 
after as carefully as possible, and stored in a cool ventilated room or closet. 
—D. 
