1874. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR JANUARY. 
21 
A layer of dry cotton-'svool was theu laid iu au ordinary case, and on this a layer of 
Apples in paper. More cotton was rammed in between the Apples and the sides of the case, 
as well as between the fruits; another layer of cotton succeeded, followed by fruit as before, 
and so on until the case was filled. The lid was then nailed on in the usual manner, and the 
packing was complete. The cases were placed in the ice-rooms of the steamers until landed. 
The result was that the fruit, when unpacked at Vienna, was in fine condition, and excited 
both admiration and astonishment. 
- Thomas Dawson, Esq., of Meadow Bank, died on November 21. In him 
horticulture has lost one of its most generous and genial patrons. His love for 
it extended from the simplest border flower to the choicest exotic, and was both 
keen and constant; he was also particularly attached to members of the gardening fraternity. 
The Meadow Bank collection of Orchids was undoubtedly one of the best managed and most 
valuable private collections in Great Britain. Mr. Dawson was connected with the Carron 
Company, which brought him heavy duties, but his spare time was sacred to his garden. 
GARDEN WORK FOR JANUARY. 
FLOWERS. 
severe frosts we have recently experienced have told with marked effect 
(Um upon tender plants that were not protected. It is frequently necessary to 
examine the efficiency of the protection afforded, and to remember that 
the dryness of the materials employed is of more importance than the 
actual thickness, of the covering ; much injury indeed often results from 
damping-off, if the plants are enveloped in sodden materials. A material point 
to be observed in protecting tender plants is the liability of the roots to suffer. 
In highly dressed grounds, it is important that the protection should be as 
little objectionable as possible ; the use of bushy evergreen tops stuck neatly 
in the ground is to be recommended upon grass. It is requisite that the planting 
of deciduous trees and shrubs should be completed as soon as possible, in order 
that they may get root-hold, to support fresh growth; the lifting of large speci¬ 
men shrubs, and ground-work alterations should also be pushed forward. 
If the planting of Boses is not completed, no time is now to be lost. Old 
beds should have the greater portion of the soil removed—this will do good in the 
shrubbery—replacing it with a strong, healthy turf, well enriched with rotten dung. 
Plant Ranunculuses towards the end of the month for a successional bloom. At 
this season of the year a feature of the greatest importance, and one that is much 
neglected, is the thinning and rearranging of Shrubberies. This neglect must be 
looked upon as being in bad taste, and one can hardly understand how, in this age 
of refinement, it comes to pass that mixed shrubberies are frequently allowed to 
become wild entanglements, without order. This should be corrected, cutting 
out the large trees where they are so thick as to destroy the undergrowth, and 
rearranging the shrubs, cutting down such as are straggling, and keeping next to 
the grass a neat band of evergreens, which always present an orderly appearance. 
Presuming that the great majority of the flower-beds are planted with bulbs, 
spring-flowers, and evergreens, little can be done in the way of renewing the soil; 
opportunity should, however, be taken advantage of, to stack up a good supply of 
the various soils required for the renovation of the beds when the plants are 
removed. Let neatness and order pervade every portion of the ground, the grass 
and walks being frequently rolled. 
Bedding Plants indoors should not have more fire-heat than is necessary to 
expel frost, and should be aired freely upon favourable occasions ; and as damp 
must be guarded against, no more water should be used than will maintain the 
soil in a healthy, moistened state, applying it early in the moraing on fine 
