296 



FOBEST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 



[Feb. 



ENGLAND. 



,HE phenomena of tliis month are very irregular and uncertain ; 

 often very stormy, and fitful in its changes from violent 

 storms to genial calms. The temperature during this month 

 lias been known to range from 60^ Fahr. to 5^^ below zero, in the 

 neighbourhood of London. The prevailing winds, in stormy seasons, 

 blow from between the north and north-west, but in milder seasons 

 from south and south-west. The rainfall is very variable in different 

 years, and also in different sections of country contiguous to each 

 other. During last February rain fell at Greenwich on 15 days, to a 

 depth of 2-90 inches ; while at Chewton Priory, on the edge of the 

 Mendips, at an altitude of 550 feet above main sea level, rain fell on 

 20 days to a depth of 5*40 inches. 



ORCHA.ED. — Finish the planting and pruning of fruit trees, and give 

 a free application of manure to such trees as seem to require it. A 

 compost of fresh rich loam and well-rotted vegetable matter is better 

 than all dung as a manure for fruit trees. AVhere the stems are in- 

 fested with moss or insects, they should be scrubbed down with a stiff 

 brush, and afterwards dressed witha wash of hot lime, or some of the 

 many other preparations used for the destruction of moss and insects on 

 trees. Prepare grafting clay for future use, by mixing clay with cow- 

 dung and finely chopped hay, or horse-droppings. 



Fences. — Finish'planting thorn hedges ; also complete the cutting 

 and laying of hedges of all sorts. Agricultural drainage works should 

 also be brought to a close before the end of the month. 



Woods. — Forest operations which were recommended last month 

 are suitable for a like state of weather during this, and when the 

 weather is suitable continue to transplant all kinds of forest trees into 



