220 . THE KOSE GROWEE'S CALENDAE. 



DECEMBER. 



There is hardly a month in the year that the 

 ardent Rose grower can call a month of relaxation 

 from work. Even chill December, with its frost and 

 snow, does not call a halt to the lover of fhe Queen of 

 Flowers. Open weather sees the planting* of trees 

 that have been ordered late, and all trees have to be 

 protected against frost. The leaves of the forest are 

 collected into sacks and carefully distributed round 

 delicate Roses, being- held in place by soil. Bracken 

 is cut and distributed over beds that are too exposed 

 to the elements, and all is made secure against the 

 severe weather that must be encountered before the 

 Rose grower can rest and call an hour of relaxation 

 his own. The careful labelling of trees is a most im- 

 portant item, and if not done at planting time should 

 be carried out now, without further loss of time. 

 Standard briars are diligently sought for in the 'hedge- 

 rows and the field, and are transferred to the garden 

 without loss of time. Seed-pods are collected, and the 

 seed is sown forthwith, or is stored in damp sand for 

 sowing in the early spring. Trees that are not tied or 

 nailed in are now secured, and dead wood is removed. 

 Old manure is wheeled out and scattered liberally over 

 the surface of the well-forked beds. Arches and per- 

 gola-work is constructed for the next year's trees, and 

 any budding or digging is pushed on with before the 

 season for planting is past. But if work in the open is 

 arduous, much more so are the tasks that await the 

 grower of the Queen of Flowers under glass. Pot 

 Roses for February flowering are now brought into a 

 warm ihouse, and the batch to follow these are care- 

 fully pruned and the pots cleaned in readiness. The 

 store of potting soil, leaf-mould, sand, pots, and crocks 

 are increased, and all is got ready for future use. The 

 greenhouse and the potting-shed gradually becomes 

 the gardener's home, and his great source of anxiety 

 is the heating and ventilating of the same. Careful 

 ventilation is his great care, and the watering of all 

 trees from now onwards requires thought and con- 

 sideration as trees begin to shoot and to make tender 

 growth. 



