70S GARDEN 3IANAGEMENT. 



is no reason why man should not. The experienced gardener knows the im- 

 portance of winter operations, and knows, in fact, how work, judiciously done 

 noW; will save much toil in the spring and summer. Supposing it is only ne- 

 cessary to manure the ground once a year, let it be done in the winter ; it is 

 generally most convenient, and the work is better adapted to the season. 

 Digging and trenching is much better done now than in warmer weather, 

 and this more particularly applies to heavy soils ; some I have known cannot 

 be cropped at all unless dug a month or six weeks beforehand, either summer 

 or winter ; and how much more advantageous it is to move the ground, and 

 let it lie in clods so that the air permeates around them, and the action of 

 frost brings it into a state easy to work, and better for the seeds. There beina 

 now most likely some portion of ground vacant, and no general cropping can 

 be done for some time, a little attention can well be given, and would be well 

 bestowed in considering the important matter of a rotation of crops ; if no 

 regular system has been adopted before, let it be decided at once to begin a 

 systematic arrangement of the various subjects to be dealt with. Much more 

 work may be done under a proper system than continuing the haphazard 

 style ; and not only so, but a great many more subjects may be grown on a 

 given space by giving each group its proper place. 



'2211. Respecting crops, individually, little can be done, and as little said, 

 at present ; but collectively, some attention should be given, both to the various 

 stores of seeds and vegetables ; the latter should be looked over occasionally, 

 turned, sorted, and cleaned ; kept moist without being damp, cool without 

 frost, and where there is a free circulation of air. As to seeds, it is well to have 

 them ready for sowing ; that is, thoroughly dried and rubbed out, every particle 

 of husk and light seed blown out, and carefully papered and labelled. Those 

 that have to be purchased should be procured early. Go to respectable dealers, 

 who can be certain of the sorts being true to name. Note down and pro- 

 cure exactly what will be required for the season, so that no time is lost in 

 running after them the moment they are wanted, and place each sort in its 

 proper drawer or receptacle, that there may be no confusion. Also see to the 

 tools or implements, and ascertain that they are in good condition ; replace 

 or repair any that are broken ; never trust to just the right number if any are 

 not in good condition ; keep them dry, and clean well before hanging them 

 up. Another thing to attend to, is proper composts and manures. These 

 may be collected on a spare or vacant piece of ground in the kitchen-garden, 

 where there will be plenty of room to turn it over and mix, and where all 

 kinds of woody refuse can be collected and charred and mixed with it. In 

 frosty weather, when the ground is hard, it should be wheeled on to vacant 

 ground. Again, much time is saved in the spring and summer, by making 

 a general pruning and trimming of trees. Most trees will be improved by a 

 little cutting-out ; it prevents them making so mu dead wood. Collect all 

 these prunings ; take the bill in hand, and look ove thesticks ; see what are 

 useful for supporting peas and beans. Select them both for tall and dwarfer 

 Rorts. Keep them all separate • trim them into shape, and point them ; tie 



