1:1 
TlJE COTTAGE GARDENEii, 
OcTOBEU -‘iO. 
but tlie cheerful appearnncc a few bushy wall-flowers 
give in the dull inontlis helite to augment the hopes of a 
brighter state of things at another time. 
(SnitrmH'.iiY.—'I'bis is the best time to jihtiU all deci¬ 
duous trees and shrubs; and Evergreens may also be 
])hmted; but last month, or Sei)teinber, was better lor 
them. Any alterations may also be proceeded with, 
and, in fact, anything in which trees or shrubs are con¬ 
cerned may be done now. Jf large trees arc planted, be 
sure to secure at once, by some substantial tying; but, in 
a general way, great care taken with smaller trees is 
rewarded witli a more uniform success. And one of the 
most important features in planting is, to have a sititable 
soil in which to deposit the roots. This, and care in 
taking up and removal, and a speedy transfer to the 
future abode, is of more consequence than is often 
supposed, even at this season, when the air is charged 
with moisture ; while, at other times, it is of paramount 
consequence. J. Rohson. 
ALLOTMENT FARiMING.— November. 
This is the best month in the year for tmnsplaniiug fruit- 
trri’S, because they will, in most seasons, have produced some 
new roots before the commencement of severe weather, and 
will have partly established themselves before the rising of 
the sap in spring, which will assist them in making new 
wood the following summer, and which will be more healthy 
and vigorous than if planting had been deferred to the 
spring. Tlie size of the bole to be made with an allowance 
of a foot or eighteen inches all round beyond the extension 
of the roots of the tree to be planted, and on no account 
to be twisted or cramped to get them in. The bottom of the 
boles to be well drained with old brickbats, lime rubbish, or 
rough gravel, to prevent the roots from penetrating to the 
subsoil, and to act as drainage at the same time. From 
eighteen inches to two feet of good soil will be sufficient 
depth for most trees. AVhen the tree is planted, the soil 
should be about three inches higher than the surrounding 
ground, to allow for settling, to be mulched or covered with 
long litter or dung, which prevents heavy rains from washing 
away the soil, and protects the roots from the frosts of 
winter, and the droughts of summer, to be well watered 
after planting, which settles the soil about the roots. The 
I soil most suitable for Apple and Pear trees is a strong loam 
I with a dry bottom ; for in a wet soil they become diseased 
and affected with canker; two feet will be sufficient depth 
of soil for them. Plum trees delight in a good, strong, 
loamy soil, where they attain to a large size, and produce 
good-flavoured fruit. The Cherry tree also thrives best in a 
good, ricb, strong loam, and a dry bottom. The Apricot, 
Peach, and Nectarine re(piire a lighter soil than the others, 
and about eighteen inches in depth will be sufficient. The 
application of li(iuid nianure will obviate the necessity of 
deep borders for all fruit-trees. Gooseberry trees succeed 
best in a rich loamy soil, in an aii’y situation, protected from 
the cold east winds of spring, which are fretpiently destruc¬ 
tive to their blossoms. In pruning at this season, open the 
centre of the tree to the free admission of light and air, by 
cutting away the centre branches and the others to about 
ten buds, and leaving one lateral shoot as near to the 
origin of each main branch as possible; all suckers to be 
pulled or grubbed up. Currant trees, although they are 
generally closely pruned by market-gardeners, much finer 
fruit is i)roduced from young, vigorous wood than from 
I short spurs. Leaf-mould may be added as a suitable com- 
1 post for fruit-trees, but dung, or other such rich manures, 
1 excite the trees to an over-luxuriance, unproductive of fruit. 
Tlie strong tap-roots, if any, should be pruned off at the 
, time of planting, and the others laid out carefully. To 
> counteract the influence of bad management, it is necessary, 
i with any established unfruitful trees, to cut the roots with a 
sharp spade all round, at about three feet from the stem, 
which will cause them to form fruit-buds, and a mass of 
I fibrous roots. As it is the small roots that mainly supply 
' nourishment to the tree, it is obvious, that when large trees 
, are to be removed, they should be taken up with the greatest 
care, preserving the smallest roots, when all the branches 
may be retained on the tree; but if, by any accident, tbo roots 
are injured, it will be necessary to prune the head, to estab¬ 
lish an ecjuilibrium, or a reciprocity of action between Ibe 
roots and branches. 
As a slight clue to guide the cottager in the pruning of | 
his fruit-trees, we may state that Apricots bear on last year’s 
wood, and most generally on spurs. Peaches and Nectarines 
at the base of this year’s shoots, on last year’s wood, and 
sometimes on older wood. Pears and Plums on last year’s 
spurs. Apples on the top of spurs, and, like Fears, produce 
a cluster of fruit on the tops of the branches; and Cherries 
on buds of the same year, and on spurs. All standard 
trees, after planting, should be securely staked, that the wind 
may not have sufficient xioiver to disturb them. 
To produce a cleanly and healthy appearance in the 
allotment, it ivill be necessary to pick off the dead leaves 
from Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, and other winter crops, and 
to destroy Slays, that are now very destructive amongst the 
Lettuces, Cauliflowers, and other vegetables, either by hand- 
jneking, or by the frequent application of lime-dust, soot, 
&c. Jihuharh, Sea-kale, and Asparayus should have the 
old stems and leaves cleared away to tlie rubbish-heap, and 
tlieir crowns covered with two or three inches thick of rotten 
dung. A small sowing of Early Mazayan Jteaiis, and 
Somerville's Omer Pacha, Prince Albert, or any other good, 
early Pea, may now be made in any sheltered situation. 
After they vegetate they must be protected during sharp j 
frosts with litter. j 
All vacant yronuel should now be trenched and ridged, to 
expose it to the pulverising and ameliorating influence of 
the atmosphere. 
I'r.owF.R-GAiiDEX.—AYlieii the garden is gay with flowers, 
the attraction induces attention to their ivants; but when 
winter approaches, and the leaves are falling, an untidy 
appearance gradually spreads over the whole scene. Tlie 
grass-plot is thickly dotted with worm-casts, flower-stalks 
dangling from their stakes, and rattling, like drum-sticks, 
with every gust of wind, and patches of withered annuals 
left to rot where they grew'. It is a mistake to say that 
there is no use in sweeping away leaves as they fall, for 
others will soon fall again, and the labour will be throw'n 
away ; but when leaves are allowed to He, only for a week, in 
showery weather, on the grass, or on the walks, they will 
injure the grass, and generate damp and moss on the gravel. 
The broom should be kept in frequent requisition to sweep 
off worm-casts and leaves. The flower-stalks being cut down, | 
the grass rolled and mown for the last time, the edgings 
neatly cut, and all the sweepings and other vegetable refuse | 
to be collected In a heap to rot, and by being frequently 
turned over, will make a good compost for another year. 
The Peels and Borders may now be dug, and some rotten 
dung, or, what is better, leaf-mould incorporated with the i 
soil. To produce a gay and cheerful effect in the spring, it j 
is advisable to plant, within view from tlie windows of the | 
house, Snoicdrops, Crocuses, Aconites, Scillas, Ilepaticas, Prim- j 
roses. Polyanthuses, Walljioicers, Hyacinths, and AV<r/// Tulips, ‘ 
Where there is space for more, and facility of obtaining i 
tliem, the Arabis yrandiflora, Praha aizoidcs, Piclytra spcc- 
tabilis, Sedvni oppositifolium. Turban Itanuneuluses, and 
Anemones, may be also planted now, wbich will increase the 
vernal beauty of the scene. 
Auriculas, Carnations, and Polyanthuses, in a pit, or frame, 
should have a free circulation, and all the air possible in 
favourable weather; to be closely examined after heavy 
showers of rain, that every pot saturated by drip may be re¬ 
moved, as otherwise it is almost sure to rot the plant. As 
the leaves of many of what are termed Florists’ flowers are 
very apt, at this season, to be spotted or afl’ected by mildew, 
an immediate dusting of sulphur will correct the evil. 
Fox Feants, to be kept in rooms or at the cottagers 
window, will require particular attention during the dull 
winter months. Let them always be placed as near the 
light as they can conveniently stand, and receive as much 
air as can be admitted when the weather will allow. Indeed, 
those persons who have no other convenience than the I 
house to keep them in, will find that they derive great ad- j 
vantage from being, during fine weather in autumn, put j 
out-of-doors in the evening, and taken in again in the morn- | 
ing ; the night dews contributing greatly to their health and j 
