OCTOBER. 
227 
may be picked off, but the operation must ou no account be carried to the same 
extent as with Scarlets. Where there are plenty of heated structures, as I have 
already remarked, there is no difficulty in safely and satisfactorily wintering 
bedding Geraniums of all kinds in the best possible condition; but where 
there are only cold pits and frames it is not quite so easy a matter, though there 
can be no difficulty if the following directions are carried out:— 
When all the plants are carefully lifted and put into boxes and pots, they 
should then be placed in a cold pit or frame, and should be kept close until 
they begin to make fresh roots. No water should be given until the plants 
show evident symptoms of a want of it, then a fine morning should be chosen 
to give them a good watering with a rose-pot; after this they will not require 
another watering at this season for a week or ten days. Plants potted the 
beginning of October will towards the end of the month have made good roots 
into the fresh soil. It is a point of great importance to get the plants well 
rooted before the dark days come on; as well-rooted plants are easily kept even 
in a cold pit or frame—but when the plants are badly rooted a great many die 
off during the winter. About the beginning of November the whole should 
be gone over and regulated for the winter. If boards can be had they should 
be placed on bricks or pieces of wood, so as to be 2 or 3 inches from the bottom 
of the pits or frames, and the plants should stand on these. They will do much 
better this way than when placed on the damp bottom, as dryness is one of the 
greatest essentials in keeping softwooded plants of all kinds in frames through 
the winter. From the 1st of November to the 1st of March water should be 
given only when absolutely required. Damp is the great enemy to contend 
against. Air should be given at all times when the state of the weather 
permits. Coverings at night should be well attended to, but they should never 
remain on during the daytime when the glass is not frozen, as the plants need 
all the light they can get. By carefully attending to these matters the most 
delicate Geranium, if well rooted, can be wintered in a cold pit or frame. As 
no plant is more easily kept in the windows of a dwelling-room than the 
Geranium, the cottager can easily winter his plants. If he would lift his 
plants early, and put them into boxes made to fit the window-boards, using the 
best and lightest soil in his garden, and making it firm about the roots of the 
plants, he will have little difficulty in keeping them over the winter. The 
danger is that the plants may get killed by too much attention rather than too 
little. In general too much water does a deal of mischief. Too much water 
given before the plants make any fresh roots is the cause of thousands of badly- 
rooted plants dying off during the winter. By keeping the soil moderately dry, 
by giving air at every favourable opportunity, by never letting the plants get 
the least touched by frost, and by letting them have all the light possible, there 
is not the least difficulty in keeping Geraniums through the winter in the 
windows of a cottage. 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
SYRIAN PEAR. 
There is a hardly any autumn Pear we know of that is more ornamental 
than the Syrian. We have this season been favoured by Mr. Hill, of Keele 
Hall, with some specimens of his growing, which are not only beautiful in 
colour, but delicious in flavour. This variety seems particularly well adapted 
for that cold part of Staffordshire, and similar districts of the country. We 
would recommend it to the attention of all fruit-growers as valuable not only 
for garden but also for orchard planting. 
