376 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



to observe, we cannot but reflect with wonder on the abundance of 

 life, and the endless variety in the forms and modes of life to be 

 observed even in the creatures who are to be found within the com- 

 pass of a garden. We have seen, too, how their bodies and all their 

 powers are most wonderfully suited for the support and preservation 

 of their lives. We have learnt that not only can each creature pro- 

 vide for itself, but has the inborn knowledge and impulse which we 

 call instinct, prompting it to take most tender care of its young, or 

 leading it to provide for its offspring beforehand, whom it will uever 

 see or know. We have seen how curious and marvellously skilful 

 are some of the works of these small creatures for all these purposes 

 — the web of the spider, the cell of the bee, the cocoon of the cater- 

 pillar, and the nest of the bird ; and we know with what fidelity and 

 unwearying patience and industry they employ all the capacities and 

 powers given to them by nature ; all which cannot fail to inspire 

 us, not merely with love for them, but lead us to feel something 

 like respect for these, our little fellow-creatures, who, like ourselves, 

 have received so many tokens of the loving-kindness and tender 

 mercy of Him " who made and loveth all." 



THE GABDEN GUIDE FOR DECEMBER. 



THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



ilHERE is little to do, beyond keeping everything as tidy as possible. 

 Bulba ougbt to be all planted by this time, but if any remain out of 

 the ground, get them in without delay. Take up tea roses, and lay 

 them in by the heels in a shed, out of reach of frost. Cut down 

 fuchsias that are to remain out all the winter, and cover their roots 

 with litter or coal-ashes. Pansies, pinks, and other choice things in open beds, 

 should have a little light litter sprinkled over them in frosty weather, or be pro- 

 tected with canvas on hoops. Tulips protect in the same way. Look over 

 auriculas and other plants in frames, and take off dead leaves, and keep the plants 

 moderately dry, and as freely ventilated as the weather will permit. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



As alterations and improvements proceed, let not the important work of 

 draining be forgotten. * Plantations of rhubarb, seakale, asparagus, and horse- 

 radish, may now be made. A lot of roots of the common dandelion, packed 

 together in leaf-mould, and put into gentle heat, and the daylight wholly 

 excluded, will furnish a delicate salad in five or six weeks. PascaU's seakale pots 

 are best for the purpose. Get together everything available for manure, and 

 keep each kind of manure as separate as possible ; and, as far as possible, keep 

 dung and all soluble matters under cover, for they lose much of their properties 

 by the action of rain . Though there is little, apparently, that calls for exertion 

 in the kitchen garden, the lover of tidiness and order will find plenty of occupa- 

 tion in getting sticks and stakes tied up in bundles, and ready for use ; turf, and 

 weeds, and other litter to the muck-pit ; manures turned, and composts pre- 

 pared ; pots washed and sorted over, and crocks sifted into sizes for the potting 

 bench. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Hurry on the planting, so that the stock shall not be Buffered to perish by 



