

FROM DECEMBER TO MARCH, 



J. S. HARRIS. 



In the average winter of this state, little out-of-door horticlu- 

 tural work can be done, but the time will not be lost to him who would 

 be an up-to-date horticulturist. Books and papers treating- upon 

 his business are cheap and easily obtained. It is the season for the 

 meeting of horticultural societies and clubs, and a favorable time 

 for organizing clubs, societies and reading circles, starting libraries, 

 and making neighborly visits with leading horticulturists, thus fil- 

 ling in the time and utilizing the short days and long evenings of 

 winter in getting a better knowledge of the business. 



The careful cultivator will have so improved the past favorable 

 autumn, that his work for this year is virtuall}^ finished. He has 

 gathered up all stakes, barrels, boxes, etc. that will be useful for 

 another season, and stored them away where they will be conve- 

 nient and safe from damage, and made kindling wood of such as 

 are useless. Brush and rubbish that would give an unsightly ap- 

 pearance to the premises and afford harbor and concealment to in- 

 sects and vermin, have been cleaned up and burned, and the fences 

 and gates are made secure against every contingency, and tools and 

 implements are gathered up and put in a safe place for winter. 



If from any cause the work laid out in the November calendar has 

 not been finished up, it should be completed with as little delaj' as 

 possible. The final covering should be put upon the strawberry 

 beds, and all tender shrubs and plants should be made as safe as 

 possible to endure the most severe winter. 



This all being done, 5'-et more remaineth to do. 



The orchard and garden should be visited occasionally between 

 the storms of winter, and covering blown off should be replaced; 

 where mounds were not thrown up around young trees, the snow 

 should be kept firmly compacted about them bj^ tramping down 

 after each storm, so that mice may not readily work under it; where 

 snow drifts badly over trees, it should l)e removed to prevent its 

 breaking them down as it settles, and the feed put out for rabbits 

 should be replenished occasionallj'. 



