NOVEMBER. 
331 
between the roots; an oyster shell or flat crock over the hole of 
the pot, on this one inch of smaller drainage, and then half a hand¬ 
ful of soot to keep out worms, completes this part of the business. 
Next one inch of the compost, and then the plant, set in the pot, 
and its roots arranged regularly all round, with as little pruning as 
can be dispensed with. I only stipulate that the highest roots have 
half an inch of soil over them, and that the pots are filled to 
within half an inch of the rim. The compost should be slowly 
added, and placed carefully betwixt the roots, making it quite firm 
as you proceed, with two or three knocks down on the board at 
finisliing to consolidate the whole. 
The application of bottom heat to newly-potted plants of this 
class, is now become a regular routine in first-class nurseries, and 
although in Avarm situations and a sunny exposure, the trees now 
potted would commence to make roots at once, this operation 
would be greatly accelerated if the newly potted plants could be 
plunged in the open air in a warm bed of leaves, or leaves and 
dung, for a month, allowing the heat to decline towards the middle 
or end of December, when the pots must be removed to a situation 
where protection can be given them in severe frost. 
Should this bottom heat be difficult to procure, then place your 
plants under a south wall, to get the benefit of what sunshine may 
be obtained for the rest of the season. 
Trees which have been grooving in pots all the season, and to 
whose management allusion has already been made, if the wood 
is ripe, or nearly so, may for the next month remain fully exposed, 
taking the precaution, however, Avhen frosty nights occur, to place 
some half decayed litter, or other protective material, round the 
pots, to preserve their roots, a remark which will equally apply to 
the former lot, if not plunged in a warm bed to forward their 
rooting. T? T n 
NOTES ON THE MONTH. 
I HAVE only recently returned to England from a two months 
tour on the Continent, which must account for contributions being 
suspended. 1 also find I am quite in the dark as to the gardening 
gossip during my absence. There is, however, much to con¬ 
gratulate my countrymen upon,—in the magnificent weather you 
have had for harvest operations; and the recent rains and unusual 
high temperature of late, is doing wonders for the root crops. The 
season, though not marked by any unfavourable features on the 
Continent, has produced only scanty crops, and hence there is a 
deficiency in grain, and a mere average in roots, Avhich by no 
means occupy so important a position there as at home. Flower 
gardens continue still in considerable beauty, and Ave hope may 
remain so for some time to come ; the first frosts of autumn ahvajs 
give a pang to the loA^ers of gardening, by the sudden destruction 
Avhich folloAvs its efiects on our summer favourites, Avhich this 
