(Lalfui);ir of (Opcralious. 



FEBRUARY. 

 BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 



VKOETAm.K Gardkn. — Tlio terms "pubsoiling" and "troiicliing" nre frequently mis\inder- 

 stooil as referring to the same operation. Subsoiling implies a mere stirring or loosening 

 of the subsoil ; whereas, trenching means a reversion of the surface and subsoil. Hy "sur- 

 face soil," we mean the top six or ten inches, usually cultivated with the plough or spade. 

 Trenching is the most permanently useful process, as, if the subsoil is ])oor, it is thus brouu'ht 

 to a position where it can be improved. Keeping the good soil at toji, in order to encoura^H 

 tlie roots of jdants near the surface, is only half cultivation. It would be diflicult to assign 

 a limit to the extension of roots in a well drained, aerated, and thoroughly cultivated soil. 

 On the contrary, we know that vegetation on such soils continues in luxuriance during the 

 dryest and most iiarching seasons. This fact cannot be too prominently kept in view. 

 Draining is the foundation of all improvement in culture. Draining tiles are now easily 

 procured, and if your ground does not appear wet, and you dislike the word "draining," 

 call them air tubes, and consider your object to be underground ventilation. Trenching 

 should be performed in the autumn, that the winter frosts may pulverize and disintegrate 

 the newly turned up soil. It will seldom be found so pernicious as to be unproductive after 

 such exposure, although subsoils abounding in oxides frei^uently require several winters to 

 bring tiiem into a congenial state ; but such are exceptions. 



Fkcit-Trees. — An evil that has been obsei-ved to follow early winter pruning, is the great 

 evaporation from newly-cut surfaces. The effect will be noticed in the complete shrivelling 

 of the terminal buds on pruned branches. Pruning is frequently deferred till spring, in 

 order to avoid the effects just noticed. Evaporation, in such cases, may be prevented hy 

 covering the cut surface with a i)aint of gum shellac dissolved in alcohol. All fruit culti- 

 vators should be provided with this jjreparation, for the covering of cut surfaces, and 

 accidents to the bark of trees. 



PiuwixG. — Never cut a branch until you can see a satisfactory reason for its removal. In 

 thinning the branches of old neglected trees, endeavor to do it regularly, so as to preserve 

 a well-balanced head. Young, stunted trees should be pruned well back, and all fruit buds 

 picked out. On the other hand, those that have made strong growths should be sparingly 

 pruned, and, if the upright centre shoots are vigorous, and the lower side branches weak, 

 the latter shoiild l)e pruned close, and the centre shoots reduced in vigor by pinching the 

 young shoots during growth ; pruning them severely now, will only increase their future 

 vigor. 



Grapery. — It is now acknowledged that the making of grape-vine borders has, in many 

 instances, been overdone. Soil that will produce good cabbages, will produce good crops of 

 grapes, provided it is thoroughly aerited, as recommended in former calendars. 



Greenhouse. — Continue to shift into layer pots, young plants of fuchsias, calceolarias, iScc, 

 and repot generally all plants that require changing. A soil composed of rotted turfs will 

 answer for all purposes; use it without sifting, and let it be rather dry than otherwise. 

 Plants that have hard, matted balls of roots, should have the fresh soil pressed as hard as 

 possible, otherwise the water will pass through it without benefiting the plant; many plants 

 die for want of attention to this point. The pots should be clean, and two or three handfuls 

 of broken pots or small charcoal put in the bottom for drainage. Plants that are put in large 

 pots, as camellias and azaleas that have attained a desirable size, and are likely not to be 

 disturbed for a time, are all the better for having two or three long strijis of charcoal that 

 will reach from the drainage to the surface of the soil in the pot, inserted while undergoing 

 the potting operation. This will prevent solidity in the soil, and insure a free circulation 

 of water and air to the roots. To i)revent worms and insects from entering into the soil 

 through the drainage, a small piece of perforated zinc may be placed in the pot before 

 arranging the material for drainage. 



Flowek Gardex and Pleasure Grounds. — Where the weather will ]iei-mit, much may be 

 done in preparing for planting, and the formation of lawns. Holes may be prepared for 

 trees, and ground trenched for intended lawns. In making roads and walks, do not dig 

 out deep ditches, and fill up with stone. From nine inches to a foot will be sufficient depth 

 for carriage roads. Break the stones quite fine at the surface, and cover lightly with gravel. 

 Procure gravel, if possible, of a tenacious, irony nature, that will consolidate chemically. 

 No amount of mechanical pressure will form a solid road of gravel or sand, at least fur 

 carriage use ; the materials must be of a binding nature. 



&^^ 



