1868 . ] 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS-OCTOBER. 
219 
admitted abundantly to them by day, also by night as long as the weather 
continues mild; fire heat will not be necessary unless in case of very severe 
frosts. The main object now should be to keep the plants in as dormant 
and healthy a state as possible, neither allowing them to suffer from ex¬ 
ternal influence, nor to excite them into unnatural growth by artificial heat. 
The beauty of our flower gardens is now fast fading, but while the 
frost keeps away, and the plants and flowers remain fresh, attention should 
be paid to keeping everything neat by the timely removal of decaying flowers 
and foliage, by the mowing of the grass, and by sweeping and rolling the 
walks. All plants intended to be taken up and preserved during the winter 
should be attended to at once. Variegated and other Pelargoniums if plunged 
in pots may remain in the beds until severe frost is apprehended, when they 
can be speedily lifted and put under cover; by this plan the plants may 
be continued in the beds, and the garden may remain all the longer undis¬ 
turbed, especially if the weather be open. 
This is the best month in the whole year for transplanting evergreens. 
For though I have planted evergreens — and large plants too, in every 
month of the year with the most complete success, still I consider October 
the best time, and if the operation be performed in a proper manner, there 
will be fewer failures than when done at any other season. I would, there¬ 
fore, strongly advise all persons intending to plant, to do as much of it as 
they can during the present month. 
The hoe should be kept at work between all growing crops in the kitchen 
garden. The weather during the past month, being dry and frequently cold 
at night, has checked the growth of vegetables. Celery should be earthed up 
carefully as often as it becomes necessary. If not done last month, a large 
breadth of Cabbages for the main crop should be planted out at the begin¬ 
ning of the month. Cauliflowers sown in August should now be planted 
out under hand-glasses, and a quantity should be pricked out into frames 
for transplanting in spring. Large quantities of Lettuce should also be 
planted on south borders, and at the foot of south walls. The main crop of 
Potatos should be lifted on a dry day; they should be sorted and stored 
away when quite dry. Towards the end of the month the Asparagus beds- 
may be cleared of their haulm ; they should then have a good covering of 
manure, and some soil from the alleys should be placed over it. All ground 
that becomes vacant should have a coat of manure, and whilst dry should 
be thrown up into steep ridges. 
This is also the best month in the whole year for planting fruit trees. 
All necessary preparations should be made at once, and the trees planted 
as soon as possible. It is also a good time to select trees from the nursery¬ 
man’s stock, though this should be done even before this ; those who defer 
planting until spring, and neglect marking their trees in the nurseries, not 
