844 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 4, 1?05. 
The Flower Garden. 
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia argentea).— 
Although, in the generally accepted sense, the 
above may not be a. flower garden plant, yet 
for any garden of moderate size it is well 
worthy of inclusion for autumn and winter 
effect. The huge feathery plumes impart quite 
an oriental effect, and if planted on the lawn at 
some distance from the house a clump of Pam¬ 
pas Grass is an object of real beauty at this 
season. It is a moisture-loving plant, and 
should be given good soil to start with. Spring 
planting is best, when the flower shoots are 
over and growth scarcely commenced. The 
site may be prepared at the present time. If 
the staple soil is poor it should be removed to 
a depth of 2 feet, and replaced by good loam ; 
if this is done now the new soil will have 
settled by early spring, and strong young plants 
will grow away rapidly and make fair clumps 
in a season. In some districts the above species 
is not quite hardy, and by some Cortaderia 
jubatum is preferred, but in the latter species 
the plumes are more erect and less graceful 
than those of C. argentea. 
Work should now proceed apace in clearing- 
beds and planting spring flowering plants. 
Eecent frosts have effectually applied the 
closure to the flowering of all tender subjects, 
and as a good stock of cuttings will now be 
under protection, further delay is useless. It 
is a good plan, where there is sufficient accom¬ 
modation, to pot up old plants of Pelargoniums, 
Heliotrope, Fuchsias, and such like, as these, if 
successfully wintered, make grand stuff for 
next year, especially for the centres of beds, 
and give effect very soon after planting. 
& B. W. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Unusually severe weather for the time of 
year has been experienced in all parts of the 
country, as much as from ten to fifteen degrees 
having been registered. Fortunately, the 
weather was dry, and a fair warning as to 
what was to follow was given, consequently 
the damage done was not so bad as it might 
have been. 
Every endeavour should now be made to 
clear the ground of everything which is of no 
more use, and preparations made as far as 
possible for another season’s supply. On soil 
which is of a light porous nature digging and 
trenching can be commenced at any time 
when the weather is suitable, but that of a 
stiff retentive nature will be best deferred 
till early spring ; but it is a capital practioe 
even with this to break up the surface with 
the digging fork and apply a dressing of such 
ingredients as fine mortar-rubble, lime, and 
wood ashes, as by so doing practically the 
whole of the soil in turn becomes weathered, 
This cannot be too much emphasised, espe- 
pecially so on ground which has been culti¬ 
vated for a number of years. 
Cabbage, — The whole of the plants should 
now be well moulded up, right up to the 
hearts, which means a great saving in case 
of very severe weather. 
Turnips. —This very important vegetable 
should receive close attention at this season 
to ensure a regular supply. Bulbs which ai-e 
fully matured should be lifted and stored in 
sand or fine cinder ashes. It is most im¬ 
portant that too many should not be placed 
together, or these will become heated and 
spoiled. Place a layer of Turnips and a layer 
of ashes or sand, bank over the whole with 
the same, ridge shaped, placing a few tufts of 
straw on the top. Those which are in a less 
advanced condition should have a little of 
the finest soil drawn over the roots, and the 
latest sowings thinned, leaving them about 
as thick again as usual. If a suitable variety 
has been sown these will in all probability 
prove to be extremely useful next spring. 
Globe Artichokes —These should now 
have the old flower stems removed, and place 
a good mound of cinder ashes round the stools 
of each. It is always a capital plan to take 
off , a few good strong suckers and pot them 
up in seven-inch pots, when they can be 
wintered in a cold frame or some other place 
of safety. It is well to remember that the 
best green French variety, indeed the only 
one worth growing, is much more tender than 
the commoner kinds, and is not proof against 
very severe frosts. 
Celeriac. —The"’whole of this should now 
be lifted ; the tons trimmed off, and stored in 
sand in a cool sued. 
Box up Mint, Tan-agon, and Chervil. 
Thoroughly water in, and place in cold frames 
or cool orchard houses. E. Beckett. 
Aldenhami House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Potting Soils. —This is a good time to place 
under cover plenty of the various soils used 
for potting purposes before they become cold 
and saturated. Loam dug from an old 
pasture at this time will, if stacked grass side 
downwards, be in prime condition foi T potting 
when this work becomes general in February 
and onwards through the spring months. 
Select that which is full of fibre, and dig it 
about three inches thick. To be successful 
in the cultivation of plants in pots good 
fibrous loam is of first importance. Suffi¬ 
cient decayed leaf soil and cow or horse 
manure for immediate use should be placed 
under covei’, as should sand, charred garden 
refuse, peat, etc. Now that the tree leaves 
have fallen plenty of Oak or Beech should be 
collected and placed in a compact heap to 
decay for use next year. If not required for 
other purposes the coarser leaves may be 
burnt and the ashes used as a top-dressing in 
the garden, or incorporated with other soils 
for placing about the roots of various newly- 
planted trees and shrubs. 
The Conservatory. -— Every endeavour 
should be made to keej:> this structure bright 
with flowering plants, of which Chrysanthe¬ 
mums will now play an important part. Some 
of the late-flowering Michaelmas Daisies may 
be lifted and potted up for affording variety. 
I have found these unique for this purpose. 
Where the conservatory is used as a retiring 
room and is adjacent to the dwelling, it will 
be necessary to maintain a genial warmth, 
and the air should be kept as dry as possible 
by admitting air in the morning in conjunc¬ 
tion with a little fire heat. Any watering 
necessary should be performed early in the 
morning, and the superfluous water mopped 
up. Avoid over-watering any flowering plants 
in such structures. 
Plants in Bloom— To maintain these in 
a healthy condition great care will bo neces¬ 
sary from now onwards through the dull 
short days of winter. Above all things, apply 
water sparingly, and see that the foliage is 
kept clean by weekly spongings with tepid 
water. Where the same batch of plants has 
to remain in rooms for several weeks it will 
be obvious that extra care will be required, 
but if fresh relays can be had from glass¬ 
houses then I advise changing them° fre¬ 
quently. k. M. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Tritcmas. —As many of these are not 
sufficiently hardy to withstand a severe winter 
it is necessary to give them some protection, 
and nothing is better for this than finely- 
sifted cinder ashes, which it is not difficult to 
obtain. These can be applied at any time 
now, and the best way is to lift up the long 
grassy foliage and place the ashes well round 
the plants and mound them up to the crown. 
I he leaves should also be left on, as they 
afford considerable protection. Some of the 
most beautiful Tritomas are the small-grow- 
ing kinds, such as Diana, Macowanii, coral- 
lina, etc. ; and if one is able, especially on 
heavy soils, it is advisable to take these up 
and place in pots for the winter, as it is 
dampness at the root and round the crowns 
that does the most harm to the less robust 
growers. 
“ craiuen. 
. . -rue aeaa nower heads 
and decaying foliage can now be removed 
and a good top-dressing of some light porous 
soil, with the addition of finely-broken rock 
will be much appreciated by the various 
dwarf-growing plants. It should be pressed 
firmly among the crowns where possible, and 
m whatever position alpine plants are grq&v- 
mg—on rock bridges, as edgings to paths, on 
the front of the flower borders, and the like— 
the same remarks apply. This does much to 
protect them during winter from dampness, 
and makes them more vigorous when they 
start into active growth again. 
A. E. T. 
Fruit Garden. 
i Indoors. 
Peach Training— This should have been 
treated on last week, but want of space pre¬ 
vented it. Although not quite practical, 
perhaps, Peaches and Nectarines are trained 
rather closer for early forcing than for mid¬ 
season and late supplies, as many of the 
varieties are prone to bud dropping, espe¬ 
cially the Peach, but no overcrowding of the 
.shoots'must be tolerated. The bearing wood 
ought not to be tied in less than two inches 
apart, three inches would be better. Lay in 
those said shoots their full length if properly 
ripened, spreading them out- right and left in 
tlie shape of a fan, although the centre of the 
tree may be more open than the rest, as it 
will usually make itself there. Do not tie 
