EDITOR'S TABLE. 



every variety of climate, from the frigid to the torrid zones. But Nature's laws are univer 

 sally alike, her modes of action are the same in every climate, and the same laws are 

 observed whether in the production of the tiny moss or the gigantic sequoia. It may fur- 

 ther be necessary to state that I make no pretensions to instruct experienced cultivators, 

 but write with a view to assist and increase that already numerous class of amateiu-s who 

 find their greatest jsleasure in rural pursuits, and in the contemplation of the " varied works" 

 of Nature. 



Fruit-Trees. — Those that have been recently planted should be properly secured. Of the 

 many essential points in culture, no one is paramount ; it is only from a happy combination 

 of the whole that we can expect constant success. A tree may be planted in the most con- 

 genial soil, and with all possible care, yet, if allowed to sway about with every breeze, this 

 will counteract the best treatment. Mound the soil well up the stems of newly planted 

 trees, to throw off wet and keep the roots in a healthy condition, and in a state of growth. 

 Dig up the ground and leave it exposed to the frost ; apart from the highly beneficial action 

 on the soil, this is one of the most efi'ectual means for the destruction of insects and their 

 larvfe. We have known plum-trees that were kept perfectly exempt from the attacks of the 

 curculio by occasionally forking over the soil and exjiosing it to the winter's severity. 



Pruning is an operation very little understood by the majority of cultivators ; an annual 

 visit to the orchard with an axe and saw, and the cutting out of a few limbs being considered 

 the indispensable procedure. If yoixr trees are old and overgrown with wood, thin them out 

 judiciously ; if very productive of fruit, but have made short and weak growths, prune them 

 down severely ; but young, strong-growing, fruitless trees do not touch while destitute of 

 leaves. 



Vegetable Garden. — One of the most important operations at this season, and one of great 

 influence on the productive cai^abilities of the soil, is turning over the surface roughly, to 

 expose it to the ameliorating and disintegrating action of the weather. While freezing, the 

 contained water expands and separates the earthy particles, and a gradual crumbling and 

 granulation takes place during the thawing process, and a friability is produced which is 

 not attainable by any other means. By proper foresight, the labors of spring may also be 

 lessened by this operation. For example, the ground set apart for early potatoes may be 

 thrown up in ridges and thus left exposed all winter. When i^lanting season amves, the 

 space between the ridges may be straightened with a lioe and the seed put in, covering it 

 by levelling down the ridges ; crops so treated will mature much earlier than by the usual 

 method of sowing in the newly turned up cold soil, and can be put down from one to two 

 weeks earlier in the season. Cauliflower, lettuce, and other plants in frames should be kept 

 dry, especially in frosty weather, at all times pi'otected from heavy rains ; during snow 

 storms they may remain covered up for several days, taking care to expose them gradually 

 to stinsliine afterwards. 



Grapery. — The house should be well aired, never entirely closed, unless in rain, snow, or 

 severe frosts. The soil or borders should be kept as dry as possible, both outside and in the 

 house. The outside portion may be protected by a thick coating of leaves or littered ma- 

 nure. But they are most thoroughly protected by wooden or glazed sashes fitted closely to 

 the lower ends of the roof-rafters of the house. If glazed sashes are used, many useful arti- 

 cles may be forwarded under their shelter. The best British Queen strawberries that we 

 ever saw were produced in this manner, and were ripe three weeks before those in the open 

 air. We have never seen this fruit worth looking at under out of door culture here ; treated 

 as above they are very superior. Other kinds, of course, are equally improved by this 

 slight protection. 



The vines will now be laid down in a horizontal position, and, where necessary, covered 

 with straw. Ropes made of straw wound closely round the vines form the neatest method 

 of protection. Raspberries will, of course, be under protection ; laying down the vines and 

 covering them over with soil is at once the simplest and best mode of bringing them through 

 the winter ; indeed, we have never seen them satisfactorily protected in any other way. 

 Figs and tender grape-vines are also protected as above. Strawberries should be covered 

 over slightly with manure, short hay, or leaves. This protection should not be confined to 

 what is termed cold latitudes, as its advantages are equally observable whether the climate 

 produces a cold of 50 degrees or 5. 



Greenhouse. — The temperature may average from 40 degrees by night to G0° or 65° by 

 day. The greatest source of disappointment proceeds from injudicious management of the 

 atmosphere. Let it fluctuate similarly to the natural atmosphere ; avoid keeping up a mid 

 at at midnight ; always allow a diminution of from 15° to 20° by night over the 

 day ; do not open sashes and admit dry cold winds ; air mostly by the top ventil 



