October 11. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
21 
dually filling it in till the pot is full, and keeping the 
body of the plant well up; raise the compost up 
about two or three inches above the level of the edge 
of the pot in proportion to its width. A small pot 
need not have the plant above one inch raised, a 
middling plant two inches, and for the largest sized 
plant three inches will be sufficient. The whole of 
the plant, pseudo-bulbs and all, excepting the roots, 
ought to stand clear up above the compost. It will 
l>e loose and ready to tumble over if ot such kinds as 
Oattlei/as or Dendrobiums; to prevent which thrust 
into the compost some stout sticks, and tie each 
pseudo-bulb to each stick firmly. These will secure 
the plant, and give it a neat, tidy appearance. 
We have thus described the method of potting an 
orchid, and this method will suit the greater num¬ 
ber. For some others a different way and different 
compost, or article to grow in, is required, which we 
must defer describing till a further opportunity oc¬ 
curs, our space for this part of our subject being 
filled. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Carnation and Picotee. —The weather still con¬ 
tinues open and moderately fine, but as it cannot be 
expected to continue long, it is advisable to be pre¬ 
pared for the change. Frosty nights and cold wet 
days will soon injure these flowers ; therefore, we ad¬ 
vise their removal into winter quarters without any 
delay. The best situation for them is an open one 
facing the south. Place them in frames upon a stra¬ 
tum of rough coal-ashes, at least two inches thick. 
We suppose them to be in pans in pots about five 
inches wide, and in perfect health, and it must be 
the great care of the florist (whether a dealer, an 
amateur, or a cottager) to keep them so. In remov¬ 
ing them, do as we recommended for the auricula; 
examine the underside of each pot, kill all slugs 
there, destroy any worms that may appear, and leave 
the drainage open and in good order. Let the pots 
be clean washed, and stir the surface of the soil; 
then place them in the frames, near the glass, and 
give plenty of air. Draw off the lights on all fine 
days, and tilt them behind on wet rainy ones. With 
these points attended to properly, and on all occasions, 
the plants will do well through the winter, and flower 
weU in the ensuing summer. 
Tulip. —The season for planting these gay flowers 
is fast approaching, and the florist will do wisely to 
be preparing for it. If the instructions given in a 
late number have been acted upon and carried out, 
the bed will now be open; that is, the soil will be 
laid in ridges on each side of the bed, and a coating 
of very decayed cow-dung laid at the bottom. Let 
the soil now be levelled down into its place, leaving 
it about three inches above the walks. If the bed 
has not been edged with anything’ it may be done 
now. Dressed slate, about half an inch thick, six or 
eight inches wide, and as long as can be obtained 
conveniently, is by far the best edging for any kind 
of florists’ flowers. We saw lately in the gardens at 
Tatton Park, in Cheshire, an edging of hard-burnt 
earthenware that was excellent, and would answer 
well if generally adopted. We should imagine any 
potter in the kingdom would be glad to make and 
burn them properly if requested to undertake such a 
job. When neither slate nor the above-named earth¬ 
enware edging can be had, narrow edgings of wood 
will answer every purpose excepting that of lasting. 
Strong short stakes driven firmly down, and the edg¬ 
ing nailed to it, is the most substantial way of put¬ 
ting down a board edging. The soil being levelled, 
let it be sheltered from very heavy rains either by 
boards set up over the bed, or by hoops and mats. 
Gentle rains will be of advantage, but heavy con¬ 
tinued showers will make the soil wet, clammy, and 
unfit for planting at the proper season; but if the 
soil is moderately diy the bulbs can be put in as 
soon as the planting time arrives. T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GAIiDEN. 
Asparagus. —Attend to the directions given in our 
last number, and as soon as the stalks are ripe let 
them be cut down on some dry day. Even if not at 
the present time required for thatching temporary 
sheds for storing away the pea and bean sticks, or 
any other similar purpose, still let the asparagus 
stalks be tied up in bundles and stored away until 
wanted. They will, no doubt, come in usefully in the 
winter season for protecting purposes. Two or three 
of the best plants should be marked in the summer 
season, so that the seed may be saved from the finest 
shoots, and it is now time to harvest it. Those who 
may have any good rotten manure of any kind to 
spare, will do well on frosty mornings in the winter 
to wheel on a liberal dressing, and spread it all over 
the asparagus plantations, whether in beds and 
alleys, or in single rows, as directed last week. 
Cabbage Plants. —Prick out, if you have any spare 
corners or sloping banks, all the spare cabbage plants 
you have; and if you have no ground available for 
this purpose, then clear the seed beds of all decayed 
leaves, weeds, and rubbish, and sift in amongst the 
plants some dry common soil in good pulverised con¬ 
dition, which will strengthen the crop and secure a 
good store for spring planting, for it is impossible to 
say what may be required after the ravages of a severe 
winter. 
Carrots. —The Early Horn may now be advan¬ 
tageously sown for early coming in next spring. If 
any old temporary frames or lights can be spared for 
the purpose, so much the better; and any kind of 
fermenting materials for making a slight hot-bed 
will be of great assistance. Temporary pits may be 
formed with sods of soil, old slabs or boards, &c. If 
covered with glass, let the soil be placed close to it, 
so that the young plants may be strengthened, and 
canker or shanking be thus prevented. If the seed 
is sown without any protection, choose a warm dry 
spot or sloping bank. The Early Horn of this sea¬ 
son’s growth which are still remaining in the soil 
should be taken up at once, and stored in tolerably 
dry sand, or stacked in ridges in a dry situation, 
earthed over and thatched 
Cauliflowers. —Keep previous directions in view. 
If early cauliflowers are required at an early season 
next spring, continue to prick out plentifully, sur¬ 
face stirring at the same time, and sifting dry dust 
amongst the plants if the weather continues damp. 
The late planted cauliflowers of this season should 
be carefully watched, and as soon as the head or 
flower shows, pull them up, and hang them by the 
roots in some shed where air can be admitted when 
necessary. Cauliflowers may, by care and attention, 
be secured in succession throughout the winter and 
early spring months. After hanging some time in 
these sheds as above recommended, the plants will 
lose their leaves, which is of no great consequence, 
as the flower itself will be supported a considerable 
time from its stem. It is only necessary to cut them 
a few hours previous to their being required for use, 
