Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-11-12
FARM AND FlREsIDE,
Autumnal Advice.

us stand TO walt. IL seems SUCH h'''S
while ago that the frosts OF winter
merged into the dews Of spring. ana
now Summer has come and gone agan
and left us shivering in the lengthening
shadows of the short and chilly days,
and October. stepped in golden sun
shine and shimmering in silvery moon
light, heralds the coming OF Winters
sleep and winding sheet ofsnow.
The wise have already harvested
wealth of summer beauty to cheer and
gladden. them until spring time comes
AGAIN. and the forests are still resound-
inc with the shouts of energetic and
enthusiastic parties. intent on garner
ing Autumn's gorgeousness; Tor lear
hun - is fascinating aud fashionable
variety of social recreation, since
grasses, ferns and bright foliage are so
extensively used IN winter decorations.
The experienced will have discovered
that that the most beautiful leaves are
to-be found before the heavy irosIs
come it is the perfect maturing and
not the action of the frOsts that pro-
duces vivid and lasting colOring. Maple
sumac and woodbi1e leaves are the
most satisfactory, aud may be effective
" grouped with ferns, fine vines, orna'
mental glasses and dropping mosses.-
Care should be taken IN handling wood
bine TO see that the leaves have FIVE
fingers; the poison ivy" Ihas only
three.
Ferns and vines may be put between
several thicknesses Of smooth soft paper
nlaced between two boards and lay
undera heavy weight. Be sure that
all ferns or leaves are quite dry before
putting them 10 press, and if possible, q
warm location for the sooner they dry
the better the colors will be preserved {.
Leaves may be treated in the same
manner, and both should be changed to
dry papers at intervals of two or three
d,ys. until the moisture is thoroughly
absorbed. Irpreferred. a small piece OF
flannel may be dipped into melted
parafiine with very little turpentine
added tot. (be careful in using the
latter as it is highly inAammable) lay
the flannel on some soft paper aud the
af on the flannel, right side down.
Press with warm irou quot hoO after
which put between papers and under a
heavy weight as before directed.
In arranging there should be liberal
almixture offerns and green leaves. a.
they serve to set off the beauty Of The
more brilliant ones. But 1t will be
soon enough TO talk about arranging
our decorations when winter ia actually
here in the meantime we must no.
forget to prepare our gardens for the
happy Weakening time that is coming
by aud by. A little forethought and
management only 1.-THE of the low
ing care which Nature bestows on field
aud forest, will reward US tenfold in the
future. and make the season Of bloom
so much longer that it is a pity to
neglect il.
Hardy bulbs planted now and pro-
tected by six inch covering eff leaves
and light boughs, will blossom early in
the spring, and hardly ANIMALS sown in
the open borders, will make stronger
and earlier blooming plants than when
seeds are pat in the ground at the be-
ginning of the season. After the first
planting, hardy ANNALS will sow them
selves and may be carefully transplartS
ed IN the spring to any desired location.
Perennials that need dividing or trans
planting should be attended to now,
and summer bulbs must be taken up,
dried off gradually, labeled, wrapped IN
paper, or packed in dry sand and put in
cool, dry place, where they will not
freeze.
Tender roses should be carefully
wrapped with straw, then knock the
top and bottom from a box or key, set
it oyer the plant and fill up with dried
leaves, and light boughs on top to keep
them in place or, they may be wrap
ped, laid down on the ground and pro-
tected with covering of leaves and
bough or litter.
Besides clearing up the debris, pre-.
pairing compost beds, and cold frames.
and getting things into general tidiness
and order for The winter, there is little
more 10 be done out Of door, and win.
dow gardening claims the skill and care
of the amatuer florist more particularly
at this season of the year.
Before this time house plants should
be safely bestowed in their winter
quarters. so as to be gradually accus.
toned to their new location and pre-
pared for the winter fires. Be chary o.
heat and water spalingly. A difficult
lesson which the over Jealous tyro IL
Horticulture has to learn, is that tn,
natural element Of vegetation is moi
mud.
Plants that have blossomed in The
garden all summer. cannot be expected
to flower prolusely during the winter, i
is therefore best TO start slips early il
the season; by fall these will hav,
grown into nice thri ty plants. Keel
the buds pinched back until August. an6
during the month establish them in tn,
pots 10 which they are to remain, afte
which they NAV be allowed to bloom
If smaller plants are desired. cuttings
should be made later IN the season.
The superstiiious. who have faith il