252 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[November, 
now receive their winter dressing, by removing all dead leaves, old ligatures, and 
everything likely to harbour insects; they should also receive a dressing of the 
mixture recommended for Peach trees at p. 224. Strawberries : These, if they 
have been properly attended to, ought now to be good plants, with fine bold 
crowns, able to do good work next season. As they will now have done growing, 
they should be put into winter quarters, placing a sufficient number for the first 
batch or two of early forcing plants into a cold frame, pit, or vinery. Where 
there are a large quantity, they may be conveniently stored by stacking them in 
ridges, which should be thatched at top, and the plants protected in frosty 
weather. Cucumbers: Maintain a temperature of 70° at night, and 80° during 
the day. Be careful not to let young plants bear too many fruit at a time, as it 
weakens them. Give tepid water when they require any, and give a little air 
at every favourable opportunity. 
Hardy Fruit Garden. —If the weather be mild, the present is a good season 
for planting fruit trees; but the sooner they are planted the better, as they get 
established before the cold drying winds of spring set in, and start into growth 
with more vigour than those planted in February and March can possibly do. 
All borders intended for fruit trees should be properly drained before any trees 
are planted. All newly-planted trees should have a good mulching of half-rotten 
dung, to protect the roots from frosts. As soon as the leaves are off the trees, 
the pruning of Apples^ Pears^ Plums, and Cher7-ies should be commenced. 
Where the spurs are crowded they should be well thinned, and also the buds, 
leaving the plumpest and best. This is a good time to thin out overcrowded 
branches in Orchard trees^ and to scrape the moss off the stems. Gather in the 
late fruit at once, and look* frequently over the stores in the fruit-room, picking 
out any fruit that shows the least symptom of decay. The crops of most kinds 
have, this year, been excessively heavy, so that only light crops can be expected 
next season, except where the fruit was properly thinned. 
Flower Garden. — Plant Houses : It is of the first consequence in the manage¬ 
ment of plants that they should have particular and steady attention during the 
winter months, but more particularly during the first few weeks after bringing 
them from the open air, or until such time as they become inured to the in-door 
climate. Sometimes plants, after having completed their growth in the.open air,, 
when staged in the greenhouse commence a new growth, as though it was spring, 
to their great injury when the proper growing season arrives ; this is all owing to 
improper management. Soft-wooded Plants will require considerable attention. 
Look over Pelargoniums and remove decaying leaves and superfluous shoots ; shift 
any that may require it; fumigate for green fly; keep up a sweet, healthy 
atmosphere. Hard-wooded Plants will now be in a comparatively dormant state, 
and the chief attention necessary will be to give plenty of air at every favourable 
opportunity, and to be particular in watering. 
Pits and Fi'ames. —All plants in these structures must now be carefully watered. 
