inirs or unfavorable weatlier for out-door work, are cut into lengths of twenty to twenty-four 

 inch I'Uttinus.for planting in the vineyard or nursery in the spring. None but well ripened, 

 soun(i branolit'S are used for luttings ; the immature and weak brandies are tlirown away, 

 or used to stop the washing in small ravines. If part of the old wood can be left on the 

 cutting, it will strike root with greater certainty. The cuttings are tied up with willow 

 twigs, in bundles of one hundred, and kept in a cool, damp cellar, or set on end in the 

 ground, and buried to near the tops, until wanted for transportation to market. If intended 

 for planting in the spring, bury them all over in the earth, laying the bundle on their sides. 

 The purchaser of cuttings should do so at once, to keep them sound and fresh. In this 

 month, stakes may be sharpened, and the lower ends slightly charred, or covered with a 

 coating of coal-tar (if to be had), to make them last longer in the ground. Trenching for 

 new vineyards may also be done this month, and any other work that may lessen the labors 

 that crowd upon the vine-dresser with the opening of spring. Examine the wine weekly ; 

 look out for leaks, and keep the casks' bung full. 



THE GARDEN. 



BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 



Lett0ce. — Caiiliflower and other plants in frames, should be carefully aired at every 

 favorable opportunity ; unless this is properly attended to now, the plants will be likely to 

 suffer when severe colds overtake them. Induce a hardiness of constitution by keeping 

 them dry and exposed, and do not cover up during the night until actual freezing weather. 

 Loose straw or hay is the best of all material for covering, from the quantity of air it con- 

 tains. A close-fitting canvas cover, elevated a few inches above the glass, is a very eflScient 

 protection. 



Raspberries should be laid down, and covered with soil ; even although they are reputed 

 hardy varieties, they will fruit better from being thus protected. The hardiness of these 

 as well as all other plants, depends much upon the soil in which they are growing, as it 

 hastens or retards the ripening of the wood. Strawberries should also be protected. A 

 covering of cornstalks, shavings, tan-bark — anything that will modify the injurious effects 

 of freezing and thawing — will be more than repaid by the increased production. Shelter 

 is a subject which will in a few years be deemed much more important than it is at present 

 considered. 



Gooseberries and currants maybe pruned now. The former fruit best on the young wood, 

 and it lias been observed that they are more exempt from mildew than when fruited on 

 spurs. Thin out the bushes, but do not shorten back all the young wood indiscriminately, 

 only where an additional quantity of wood is required. Black currants are pruned on the 

 same principle. Red and white currants fruit on spurs from old wood ; therefore, the young 

 wood may be well cut out. 



Hardy grapes may now be pruned, and, where it is practicable, they may be laid down 

 and covered over with soil. Drying, frosty winds do much injury, frequently causing a 

 great portion of the young wood to shrivel, and rendering the buds abortive. In preparing 

 ground for young plantations, it is of much importance to trench thoroughly and drain, par- 

 ticularly when the subsoil is retentive. There is abundant evidence that the rot so preva- 

 lent in some seasons is induced by superfluous water in the soil. The Catawba will not be 

 regularly productive in strong lands, unless they are laid dry by draining. 



Grapery. — The outside borders should receive a covering of manure or leaves ; the dryer 

 they can be kept during winter the better it will be for the plants. If the soil is in good 

 condition, and the plants otherwise properly managed, the leaves will have changed color, 

 the wood matured, and the vines become decidous. On the other hand, if the shoots have 

 retained their leaves late, and the latter have not changed color, but have been overtaken 

 by frost while still green, it is a sure evidence that the management is not perfect, and 

 they will be liable to injury from a severe winter, even although partially protected. The 

 soil is either too rich and damp, or the atmosphere has been kept too close and warm. In 

 either case, the remedy is the same. Admit more air to the soil by drains, and ventilate 

 more liberally, to hasten the ripening of the wood. 



Lawns. — Where it is not objectionable, on the score of neatness, lawns will be much 

 benefited by a covering of manure. Lawns that have been imperfectly laid down in the 

 first instance, and abound in slight inequalities of surface and coarse, turfy grass, will be 

 greatly improved by a top dressing of soil spread thickly over, and rolled down to a smooth 

 surface. 



