1877. ] 
VILLA GAEDENTNG FOR NOVEMBER. 
259 
VILLA GAKDENING FOE NOVEMBER. 
® HE gardener knows no idle moments, if lie be in earnest in tlie culture of 
flowers, for as Canon Hole once observed, “ Every day brings to a gardener 
f its special interests; there is always something worthy of his care and 
admiration ; some new development of beauty, some fresh design to 
execute, some lesson to learn, some genial work to do.” Autumn and winter are 
as brimful of occupation as spring and summer, if it be sought for among culti¬ 
vated objects of interest. 
The Greenhouse: The dull, gloomy days of November are not at all congenial 
to the inhabitants of the greenhouse, especially if the weather is cold, dismal, 
and foggy ; and tender shoots damp off, insects make their appearance, &c., 
caused in most cases by a larger supply of atmospheric moisture than the plants 
have the me'ans of carrying off. This is particularly true in the case of unheated 
plant-houses, and it is astonishing to notice what a degree of intense cold green¬ 
fly will stand without succumbing to its influence. All the plants should now 
be housed for the winter, and the house should be ventilated freely in favourable 
weather, checking cold draughts as much as possible. A little fire-heat in the 
coldest and dampest weather will be necessary to purify the atmosphere and re¬ 
move the superabundant moisture. In a cold-house, Aralea Sieholdi^ Ahntilons^ 
Tritonia aurea^ Chrysanthemums^ &c., will be very useful. In a warm-house. 
Primulas^ Cyclamens^ Fuchsias^ and Zonal Pelargoniums will remain very gay 
and effective. Where space is restricted, and gardening knowledge ele¬ 
mentary, it is best to grow things that are, on the whole, easily managed. 
Some villa gardeners are apt to attempt the cultivation of plants that 
are a little difficult to grow, and the frequent result is failure. When the pre¬ 
sence of fire-heat enables tender plants to be grown, they should be arranged as 
nicely as possible, to secure a pleasing effect during the winter, keeping 
them uniform, neat, and clean in appearance, and tying them into shape as re¬ 
quired. Change the position of the plants occasionally, so as to relieve the house 
of that sameness of appearance which is so often to be found, and which is so 
easily altered by a little attention. 
Flower Garden: The principal work at this season is the clearing-up of leaves, 
storing them away to make mould, and the dead stems of herbaceous and other 
plants that decay in autumn. Herbaceous borders, including, of course, the 
mixed border, should be carefully forked over at the end of the month, and 
a dressing of leaves and dung or a surfacing with refuse potting-soil added. All 
choice things that die down should have their places marked with labels, for the 
villa gardener is often at the mere}’- of the jobbing gardener, who digs, but does 
not reflect. Chrysanthemums growing against south walls should have their 
shoots finally nailed in position, and as November winds are rude, those in the 
open border should be tied securely to stakes. Shrubs and trees which require 
pruning should be attended to. As soon as the flower-beds are emptied, they 
shoiUld be dug over and laid up rough for the winter; if not required for the 
spring display. Bedding Pansies and Violas cut over in July are now blooming 
freely, and as long as briglit weather lasts, they will continue to flower. 
Cold Frames: This is an important department of the garden at this time of 
the year. Auriculas in pots should be watered sparingl 3 q and decaying leaves 
should be removed, and green-fly banished. Eooted layers of Carnations and 
Picotees that it is desirable to winter in pots should be lifted and potted into 
some good loam, leaf-mould, dung, and rough sand, pressing the soil firmly about 
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