172 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
grown into size, by cutting away ill-placed and 
unfruitful branches and large spurs. Pruning 
is a good deal a matter of suitable weather, and 
this and nailing should be done when the 
weather is at all warm and dry. Now, too, is 
the time to Plant Fruit-trees , and it should 
always be borne in mind that thorough drainage 
is indispensable to success. It is also recom¬ 
mended that the fruit-tree borders should be 
elevated a little near to the wall, so as to give 
a slight slope to the walk. This is most neces- 
sai’y in cases of a close wet subsoil. If the 
subsoil be open and porous, the border may be 
kept level, which will be found an advantage 
in dry weather. In planting fruit-trees, it is 
very necessary that the roots be spread out 
properly in the soil, and the same pressed 
down firmly between them; and should hard 
frost set in, a little litter thrown on the roots 
will be a serviceable measure of precaution. 
Flower Garden. —The flower-beds have held 
on gaily up till now, but wet, fog, and slight 
frosts are telling on them. Those, who have 
in reserve such hardy spring-flowering plants 
as Wallflowers , Daisies , Aubrietias , Pansies , 
and Violas , &c., will now clear their flower¬ 
beds, and replant with these useful subjects. 
Failing these, a few Dwarf Evergreens will 
give the beds a furnished appearance for the 
winter. Chrysanthemums will need protection, 
if it can be afforded them, especially when 
grown against walls; a slight covering will 
keep them in freshness and beauty for some 
time. The decaying branches of hardy plants 
should be cut away, and the borders kept clean 
and neat. Now is a good time to replant 
such things as Polyanthuses , Daisies, &c., that 
have out-grown their nursery-beds. Any per¬ 
manent border should have a mulching of dung 
and leaves placed on them ; it is a most useful 
coating for the winter months. 
Cold Frames. —These should now be full of 
subjects for future usefulness. Cuttings of 
Bedding plants must be constantly looked over, 
the decaying foliage removed, and any rotted 
parts cut away. As soon as frost threatens, 
any tender things of this character being 
wintered should be removed to the greenhouse 
for safety. All hardy plants can remain in 
the frames till wanted for greenhouse display. 
Such bulbs as Hyacinths, Tulips , Narcissus, 
&c., will be commencing to grow, and if covered 
with ashes or any refuse, it should be removed, 
and the pots will be well furnished with roots. 
Auriculas , Polyanthuses , and Hardy Primulas 
of all kinds need to be gone over, and their 
decaying leaves removed, and the surface-soil 
stirred. Green-fly will be troublesome while 
the weather is mild, but an occasional fumiga¬ 
tion will soon get rid of them. The careful 
gardener will find many little attentions needed 
from day to day, and it is the constant dis¬ 
charge of these that have so much to do in 
promoting success. 
Greenhouse. —November is the month of fog 
and damp, and as it is not advisable to employ 
artificial heat until absolutely necessary, the 
plants should be carefully gone over, and any 
tender ones likely to be injured by damp should 
be placed in the warmest and driest part of the 
house. It is of great service to remove the sour 
surface-soil, and add some that is fresh and 
sweet ; and the pots that have green slime on 
them should be washed, for where damp clus¬ 
ters, there will the frost be most destructive. In 
the case of a cold greenhouse, we have brought 
some half-tender plants through the ordeal of 
a trying winter in safety by planting the pots 
and some four inches of the stems of the plants 
in dry cocoa-fibre ; but it is not necessary to 
resort to this, until there is danger from severe 
and continued frost. In the case of cold 
greenhouses, flowers grow less day by day, as 
the shortening days and cold damp nights 
succeed each other. Plenty of air should be 
given when the weather is fine, but only a 
little, if any, when the reverse happens. 
Chrysanthemums are coming on to make the 
house gay, and some manure-water will greatly 
assist the plants. Any broken or imperfect 
glass should be replaced, so that the house 
may be rendered as water-tight as possible 
for the winter season.— Suburbanus. 
GAKDEN GOSSIP. 
OME of the most interesting gatherings 
of the autumnal season are the Fungus 
Forays, as they are called—that is to 
say, meetings for the collection, examination, and 
study of Fungi; and though the present season has 
not been a very favourable one for the growth of 
these plants, and consequently the collections 
formed have been less ample than usual, there has 
been no lack of the bonhomie which has hitherto 
always characterised these assemblies.—The Epping 
Forest Club had its meeting on October 2nd, at 
Monk’s Woods, amidst drenching storms. Amongst 
the fungi collected were the edible Hydnum repan- 
dum, which was abundant, and in France, according 
to Dr. Max Cornu, is sold in the markets at 3d. per 
lb. The edible Boletus was also found in great 
quantities and of large size, one specimen being 2 ft. 
4J- in. in circumference. The edible apricot- 
coloured Cantharellus cibarius was also abundant. 
—The Woolhope Field Club met at Hereford on 
October 4th and following days. The foray com¬ 
menced by an evening soiree on the 4th, excursions 
for the following days being planned, and mostly 
carried out notwithstanding the pitiless rains. 
During an excursion to Holme Lacy in search of 
fungi to be cooked for the Club dinner, the drizzling 
rain was braved by some of the members, and a 
sufficiency was collected of that excellent but gener¬ 
ally despised Toadstool, Coprinus comatus* (see 
figure on page 173) ; and another fungus allied 
to the Mushroom, Agaricus hmmorrhoidales, to sup¬ 
ply the dinner-table. The number of species seen 
during the week was very small, and the individuals 
by no means numerous. Some of the commonest 
* This fungus has a very pleasant and delicate taste when 
stewed, and is also employed for flavouring a delicious soup, 
which is highly esteemed by the fungus gourmands. 
