338 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 



rangeraents of their contents, as it is desirable to make 

 changes here at times. Plans to guide such work are 

 given elsewhere, and these may be the means of suggest- 

 ing still other forms. Some of the most attractive beds 

 are those planned by their owners. And yet original or 

 untried plans should always be entered upon guardedly, 

 as sometimes plants which look well on paper, fail to be 

 satisfactory on the grounds. Look over the lists of gar- 

 den materials with a view to new introductions. Much 

 pleasure comes from extending ones acquaintance among 

 trees, shrubs, and plants, and the true lover of a garden 

 hardly feels satisfied unless making some additions to the 

 collection every year. 



PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS FOR STOCK. 



The arrangement of the garden for the coming year 

 being decided upon, then guage all purchasing of stock 

 accordingly. Where many bedding plants are to be 

 bought, usually by going to a florist now with the lists, 

 contracts can be made for stock to be delivered at plant- 

 ing time, at lower rates than if bargained for at that 

 time, besides the advantage of being able to get just what 

 is wanted, a thing not so sure in the spring. Any hardy 

 nursery stock that may be needed, had better be ordered 

 soon, as early comers receive attention first at the nur- 

 series, and it is a great advantage to have such stock at 

 hand early in the spring. The same principle will apply 

 to ordering seeds, and most other supplies for the garden. 



OUTSIDE WORK. 



Little can be done outside in the garden this month in 

 the Xorth. Whenever mild weather allows, pruning may 

 be done, directions for which appear under February. 

 It is a good time to lay in a stock of manure, and cal- 

 culations should be made for such a supply, so that 

 some which is old and rotten may always be on hand. 



