372 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



leave it until the spring. All unoccupied beds and borders should be 

 dug up, and the surface left rough to enable the weather to act upon 

 it. Now that the trees have all shed their leaves, clear the shrubbery 

 borders, to prevent their being blown about with every gust of 

 wind, and littering the walks and grass-plots. Protect tea and other 

 tender roses with dry litter or fern ; but where they are growing in 

 a prominent position, this system of protection will be objectionable, 

 and, instead of adopting it, take the plants up carefully, and lay 

 them in by their heels in a sheltered corner, and cover with litter or 

 fern. These can be planted again early in March, and will, if handled 

 carefully, scarcely feel the shift. 



Kitchen Garden. — Draw a little earth to the Beans and Peas 

 now peeping through the ground, and keep a sharp look-out for 

 mice, which are very busy just now, and trap them directly they 

 make an appearance. In very sharp weather, cover Celery with 

 long litter, for it soon rots in the centre after it has been frozen. 

 Take up a supply of Jerusalem Artichokes and Parsnips for imme- 

 diate use, and place in the root-house, and cover with dry sand or 

 Boil ; but the principal bulk should remain in the ground for the 

 present, as they are firmer, and eat more mellow than when taken 

 up at the beginning of the winter, and stored in the root-house. 

 Frosty mornings must be taken advantage of for getting manure on 

 vacant quarters ; and when the weather is unfavourable for out-door 

 work, overhaul the root-stores, and remove all that exhibit the least 

 signs of decay from contact with that which is sound. 



Greenhouse. — Many amateurs lose large numbers of plants, 

 simply because they crowd the house as full as it will hold, and then 

 water in the same careless manner as in summer, and fancy, because 

 the weather happens to be cold, that the ventilators must be kept 

 close. To keep the usual stock of greenhouse plants in health 

 during the winter, maintain a comparatively dry atmosphere, which 

 must be regularly changed by opening the ventilators on all favour- 

 able opportunities ; and if there is any danger of the temperature 

 falling too low, apply a little fire-heat during the time the venti- 

 lators are open. To economize fuel as well as for the sake of the 

 health of the plants, cover the glass with thick canvas, mats, or 

 frigidomo, during very sharp frosts, to prevent the escape of the 

 heat. Watei^early and choose a clear, bright day for that purpose. 

 It will be better to let the plants be dry for a day or two than water 

 them in damp weather. At the same time, the soil in which heaths 

 and other plants of like character are potted must not be allowed to 

 get dust dry. Cyclamens, and single and double Primulas, now 

 coming into flower, must have the warmest corner the house affords. 

 Look sharp after green-fly, and fumigate immediately it makes its 

 appearance. Remove every decayed leaf, and keep everything as 

 clean and sweet as circumstances will permit. 



Fruit Garden. — Pruning of all fruit-trees, excepting the Peach 

 and Nectarine, must be commenced in earnest. Lay in no more 

 wood than is really required, for nothing is gained by over-crowding, 

 but much lost. Give Apple-trees infested with American blight a 

 thorough washing with strong brine, but avoid damaging either 



