1870. ] 
aEAFTING-WAX SUPERSEDED. 
253 
not witli a rose, but individually, with a small-spouted pot; and it is best to do 
this in the morning, so that the moisture may get dried up before night. The 
drier the pits can be kept, the better for the plants at this season. Plants in pits 
and frames should never be left exposed in rainy weather at this season; still, all 
the air possible should be given when the weather permits; cover well up at 
night in frosty weather. 
Out-Doors .—At the present season, and for some time to come, there is little 
to interest one in the flower garden. The summer bedding plants will now have 
done flowering, and should be cleared away at once, if not already done ; and the 
beds should be manured, dug, and planted with bulbs and spring-flowering 
plants, as previously recommended. Dahlias should be lifted, dried, and stored 
away. Hollyhocks and all other plants past flowering should be cut down, and 
the borders dug. Bulbs should be planted, if not already done. It is a good 
season for planting Roses. Trees and Shrubs of all kinds may now be planted in 
open weather. Proceed with alterations ; no alterations or work that can be 
done before Christmas should be deferred until spring, as that season always 
brings its own work. Keep leaves swept up as they fall; roll the grass before 
mowing ; and mow the last time for the season. Sweep and roll walks.—M. 
Saul, Stourton. 
GEAFTING-WAX SUPEESEDED. 
p^^OT long ago, the Mastic I’homme Lefort, or cold grafting-wax, was first 
brought under our notice, and this we have found exceedingly handy 
when grafting small things, on account of its being ready for use at all 
times. Latterly we have been using another material, which for certain 
purposes is infinitely more handy, superseding indeed not only the grafting wax, 
but the very matting or string by which we tie graft and stock together. This 
material is nothing more nor less than sheet indiarubber. It was Major Clarke, 
than whom there is no greater nor more original horticultural experimentalist, 
who first called our attention to it, and it is really very wonderful how handy it 
is. Indiarubber may be purchased, in sheets of about the thickness of brown 
paper, at some of the London shops which deal in articles of that class, for 
a mere trifle—Gd. or Is. the square foot. The undressed sheets are the best. 
Before using it wash it in clean water, and dry it by dabbing it with a handker¬ 
chief or cloth. 
The sheets are cut as required into pieces of about an inch in length, and 
about an eighth of an inch in width, according to the space to be covered, and 
the little band so formed is twisted round in the same way as a piece of matting 
w'ould be, and of course elongates considerably, encompassing the stem two or 
three times. The end is simply, yet securely fastened, by just pressing it firmly 
into the other with the thumb-nail. This forms it into a simple elastic band, 
which keeps its hold as long as required. For grafting choice little subjects, and 
