October 11. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
15 
hours and sixteen minutes, and the slaty marl in 
three hours and twenty-six minutes. 
From a long continued series of experiments, we 
are now able to state positively, that in light, well- 
drained soils, after exposure to frosts of many days’ 
continuance, during which the thermometer in the 
open air by day did not rise above 39°, and at night 
ranged between 31° and 25°, another thermometer at 
six inches below the surface never fell below 33°, and 
at twelve inches from the surface never was lower than 
36°. In clayey or wet soils the freezing will pene¬ 
trate to seven inches in severe winters. In every 
instance we speak of the soil dug level; if thrown up 
into ridges, the cold will jienetrate much further into 
them. These facts demonstrate how small is the 
danger of tubers and bulbs being frozen if properly 
planted in a well-drained soil at six inches below its 
surface; and at that depth, even if frozen, their thaw, 
ing is so gradual that no injury arises. Upon this 
subject, however, we may have some other observa¬ 
tions to offer in connexion with the roots of plants. 
The fact that the earth, in regions not eternally 
ice-bound, never is reduced in temperature, at a few 
inches from the surface, so low as the exterior air in 
winter, nor is elevated at a similar depth to an equal 
degree of warmth in summer, suggests the necessity 
for more attention to the temperature of the soil in 
our horticultural houses than it has hitherto obtained. 
Attention is more awakened to it now than for¬ 
merly, and by bottom-heat our gardeners now intend 
something more than a mass of fermenting matter 
for forcing cucumbers or pine-apples. 
It is quite certain that every plant, when growing 
in a favourite soil in its native climate, has its roots 
growing in the temperature which is best accordant 
with that in which its branches are delighting. Under 
no circumstances, if the plant is flourishing, will the 
temperature in summer, at twelve inches from the 
surface, be found to be less than 2°, nor more than 
5° lower than the average temperature of the atmo¬ 
sphere ; and in winter, that temperature at the same 
depth will be found to range similarly above the atmo¬ 
spheric temperature. There is no doubt that in tro¬ 
pical climates the bare exposed soil becomes heated, 
for a few inches in depth, to a degree higher than 
that of the air incumbent upon it. But this is not 
the case about the roots of plants; for their foliage, 
and the herbage naturally clothing the soil, preserve 
this from such a pernicious elevation of temperature. 
That such an excessive elevation is injurious is 
known to every observer of plants, whether the 
plants are growing in the tropics or in a stove. The 
roots are stimulated to imbibe moisture faster than 
the foliage can digest sufiiciently the sap thus forced 
to them, and that foliage is expanded wider and more 
weakly in the vain effort to keep pace with the sup¬ 
ply. This is only one among many instances of that 
property, so wisely given to organised beings by their 
Creator, of adapting themselves to circumstances; 
and it is only when the vicissitudes of those circum¬ 
stances are too violent, or too long continued, that 
they fail in their effort at conformity. 
THE ERUTT-GARDEN. 
The storms peculiar to tire season begin to re¬ 
mind us that another winter approaches with rapid 
strides, and that the necessity for a prudent forecast 
becomes daily more manifest; every howling crevice, 
indeed, as we sit by the fire-side, seems a monitor, 
and appears to say, “ Are you prepared for a period 
of gloom and frost? When earth with its treasures 
are bound up in the icy chains of the north, will you 
be able to look back with pleasure on your past la¬ 
bours, and to feel that you have omitted nothing 
which, as far as within your reach, might add to the 
comforts of this usually inauspicious season?” Well 
is it with those of a provident character who can re¬ 
flect and mentally reply that they have anticipated 
the evil day; and well, indeed, is it for the cottage 
children who possess such a father. 
Fruit -gathering. — We will now advert to the 
winding up of the fruit-gathering; little of the ripen¬ 
ing process will be facilitated out-doors after this 
period. To be sure, a few of our later fruits will still 
hang with tenacity to the tree, especially in our 
northern counties. Amongst the peaches, the Late 
Admirable, the Bourdine, and the Catherine, may 
still be found in ungenial situations. Amongst the 
nectarines, such as the Late Newington; among 
plums, the Imperatrice, the Ickworth plum, and 
Coe’s Late Red ; and, amongst pears, the Beurre 
ranee, the Ne plus meuris, &c., &c. As for apples, 
few of any merit adhere to the tree after this period; 
we may, therefore, fairly presume that this useful 
fruit is all housed. We need scarcely point to the 
propriety of removing any leaves, coarse shoots, or 
spray which may shade the fruit; all such precau¬ 
tions will be necessary. We would, however, by no 
means risk our late pears out many days at this late 
period, although they may not bend to the ordinary 
test of ripe fruit—the parting easily from the tree; 
yet the rule must be set aside for fear of the injurious 
effects of frosts, which are apt to set in betimes in 
some seasons; indeed, no fruit may be considered 
safe after the middle of October. 
Whilst on the subject of lateness, we may remark 
that, having recently made a tour in some parts of 
Derbyshire, we were surprised to find them so very 
backward. At a rectory garden the other day, within 
eight miles of Chesterfield, we saw Golden Drop plums 
still green on a south wall: this was on the 25th of 
September. Whilst about the same period we found a 
brown Ischia fig, in a court-yard at Derby, covered 
with a splendid crop ; many perfectly ripe figs hav¬ 
ing been gathered from it. There is a fire-place, 
however, in the latter case behind. The damsons, 
nevertheless, are as forward as they are in Cheshire; 
and this seemed rather astonishing, until we learned 
that the Golden Drops had been planted in a prepared 
border, which had been, as too many borders are, a 
work of supererogation—too deep by far, and sunk 
level with the walks over a subsoil of the most tena¬ 
cious clay. The damsons are only what is termed 
“ stuck in” by the country folk; no petting here. 
It is lamentable to see, in so fine a country as Der¬ 
byshire, such a scarcity of apple trees, seeing that 
their soil in many parts is so well adapted for them. 
