Care of Tuberous Plants: All the summer and autumn annuals should have been ekared out of the beds by now. Tho last of the chrysanthemums, marigolds, dalilias, salvias and cannas are a sad mass of sear loaves, although many of them are still bravely showing their blooms. These must soon be cut away or pulled up and humt on the compost heap. Cannas, being perennials, should have their dead stalks and leaves cut away now. If left until spring, there is danger of ruining the young shoots. Woodashes act as a slow fertilizer and protection. The tubers of the dahlias are either left in the ground or spaded up. The tops must be cut away, enough being left, however, by which to handle them oasily. Spade all round the clumps left in the ground and loosen the earth so that the tubers will not be injured. Care must be taken not to injure the necks of the tubers, as even a small cut will make the plant worthless. Clean off all soil from the tubers: a good spraying with a fine hose will aid in this. Then, after a thorough drying, place them in a hex of sand and leave them in a frost proof cellar. Ah occasional inspection is necessary to make sure that the roots are not shrivelling. If they appear to be drying up, give them a light sprinkling of water, or place a pan of water near them. Dryness and frost are ruinous to many tubers. Leave them thus until March.

Dahlias in the Mountains: A remarkable difference between the dahlias grown in Shanghai and those grown up in mountainous regions such as Mokanshan and Kuling was especially noticed this year. Dahlias, of the same stock, which were planted in Mokanshan were exceedingly sturdy, brilliant in colour and remained far longer in flower than those grown in Shanghai and elsewhere on the plain. The smallest and most unpretentious mountain gardens boasted dablins far finer than any found here. And these dahlias received no winter protection, their leaves having been allowed to die down and cover the roots until the snows came in January. The only cultivation they received was what the fresh air, wind and rain gave them. They were not pampered, highly developed or over-refined, as is necessarily the ease with those grown in Shanghai. Zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, lilies, coreopsis and salvias all bloom better and show larger blossoms in mountainous districts ranging from 1800 to 3000 feet in altitude. This may possibly he due to the good drainage provided by the porous soil and to the iron it contains. Blue hydrangoas, blue as the forget-me-not, grow into huge bushes. In our cultivated gardens we must add iron or alum to produce that lovely blue effect.

A Novelty: Seeds of the Klondyke cosmos, which had been brought from Singapore, and were a 1933 novelty of floral horticulturist fame, grew remarkably well up in our mountain garden. The plants with their brilliant yellow flowers grew from Six to eight feet tall. They bad sturdy stems, thick as those of the hollyhock, from which shot branches of marigold.like leaves and yellow cosmos-like flowers. No wonder the plant was considered a novelty! The good porous and not too rich soil appeared to be native to this interesting plant. In the annual flower bed a row of these tall and handsome flowers is unsurpassed.

Preparations for Spring: The spring beds should be dug over now, and bonomeal or some other fertilizer added. The Shanghai soil is apt to be sour and bonemeal mixed into it is most beneficial. Spring flowering annuals should he transplanted. The transplanting of seedlings should be finished before severe frost sets in. Later in the seasen the soil is too hard and cold for the tender roots of the seedlings. The plants must have struck root before severe cold prevents them from establishing themselves. Dip the roots of each seedling into a pan of bonemeal, before planting. Sufficient bonemeal will adhere to the rootlets to provide slow nourishment. This dusting of the rootlets should be quickly done, and the seedling placed in its hole and packed firmly with fine soil. Severe frosts may lift young plants; they will need firming again. Old branches of cedar or firs loosely placed; over a seedling bed always make a good protection and aid in keeping off the heavy frosts.

Colour Schemes: Spring flower gardens offer a fascinating study in the matter of colour schemes. The seedlings for these, sown in September and October, can safely be transplanted into the open garden. Amongst them are anchusa, aquilegia, Aratis alipina, antirrhinum, calendula, annual ebrysanthemum, campanula, coreopsis, dianthus, delphinium, digitalis, gypsophylla, hollyhock, larkspnr, linum, nicotine, pansy, phlox, primrose, stocks and sweet william. Delicate or tender annual seedlings should, however, be placed in the greenhouse, where the temperature is between 500F. and 700F. Having been in the open beds these are now sturdy and healthy. They can be transplanted into pots and placed in a conservatory in which there is good ventilation. Among these more delicate plants are aretatis, carnation, clarkia, gaillardia, godetin, lobelia, mignonette, mimulus, nasturtium, nemophila, oxalis, pelargonium, ponstemon, petunla, primula, laponaria, schizanthus and verbascum. Verbenas being half hardy are also best brought in for protection.

The Kitchen Garden: Surround the beds in the kitchen garden with a foot high wall of bamboos and straw, and on cold nights cover over with old reeds or straw. Lettuce, radishes, spinach, carrots, turnips, cabbages and beets will keep remarkably well all through the winter if given this protection.

L. L.

A Splendid Display of Chrysanthemums: At the Shanghai Horticultural Society's annual Autumn Show this year what is considered as the finest display of chrysanthemums for many seasons was to be seen. The whole of the floor of the extensive area under the public Grand Stand at the Race Course was a mass of magnificent blooms of every variety and colour. We have never seen anything to equal the display arranged by the Shanghai Municipal Nurseries, which was in the from of two huge waterfalls, the rocks and water being composed of masses of blooms ascending to a height of 20 feet or more. The cascades were done in white blossoms, the rocks and foliage in coloured blooms arranged in huge masses.

The cut flowers and table decorations were not as good as usual, nor did we think the displays of vegetable garden products up to standard. The Japanese floral decorations were very good, but the European and American ladies who competed in this section of the show have a long way to go before they can emulate the artistry of their Japanese sisters. One such exhibit only, in our opinion, had caught the spirit of Japanese flower arrangement, namely that of Madam Conlon, which was actually considered of sufficient merit to be placed amongst the Japanese exhibits.

The ferns and follage plants were not as good as they usually are, due, possibly, to the extremely trying summer we have passed through.

A. DE C S.