18 OF PRUNING. [Jan. 



Wall-flower, Anemone, Ranunculus, &c., as previously 

 enumerated as frame plants, will require very little water, 

 and be sure to give none while they are in a frozen state. 

 If snow should cover them, the plants will keep in a fine 

 state under it, so never remove snow from covering cold 

 frames, even suppose it should lie for weeks, nature will 

 operate here herself. But when framing cannot be obtain- 

 ed, they will in this latitude keep tolerably, if gently co- 

 vered with leaves or litter, using means to secure them 

 from being blown over the garden. 



OF PRUNING. 



It is not advisable to carry on a general system of prun- 

 ing in this month, in whatever state the weather may be. 

 The severest frosts generally are yet to come, and too fre- 

 quently what is done now in this operation has to be 

 repeated in the spring, causing, at that time, work to a 

 disadvantage; because, if "pruning, when done just now, 

 is accomplished judiciously, whatever more is requisite to 

 be done in the spring on the same bush, will be injudi- 

 cious. Hence, it is far preferable to delay it till the frost 

 is nearly over, when all can be done to advantage. There 

 are, undoubtedly, hardy trees and some shrubs, that may 

 be pruned and thinned out at any time from the first of 

 November to the first of March ; such as Cratoegus, Sor- 

 bus, Spirea and even Althea, in the middle states ; (the 

 Double white Althea is very tender and requires to be co- 

 vered.) The tying together the loose branches of Juniper, 

 Cedar and Arbour vitse should be particularly attended to, 

 as heavy snow frequently destroys the shape of those hand- 

 some shrubs by breaking down the branches, &c. When 

 the snow is heavy, the precaution of shaking it off should 

 be resorted to. In many seasons, the beginning of this 

 month is open and admits of the operation of digging in 

 open quarters, which if not done, as advised last month, 

 ought not to be delayed. The fruits of it will appear in 

 the mellowed state of your soil in spring. 



If there is any spare time, tallies, straight sticks or stakes, 

 may be prepared for summer use. Tie them up in neat 

 bundles, which will be of great service during the hurried 



