164 CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



DECEMBER. 



Let sober Reflection, the Tiller employ, 

 The sound seeds of Virtue will spring to his joy ; 

 To the Ruler of season's, let gaatitude's voice, 

 In His love and His wisdom for ever rejoice. 



IF any of the work recommended to be done in the last 

 month was not accomplished, let it be done with all possible 

 despatch this month, as we know not what a day may bring 

 forth. 



Protect the stems of newly-planted trees. Cover with 

 litter the roots of Grape Vines and Figs against walls, and 

 cover the branches with mats, &c. In temperate climates 

 prune Apple, Pear, Quince, and other hardy fruit trees ; cut 

 out rotten and decaying branches, 23 and 63. 



To destroy insects on the fruit trees, and prevent them 

 from creeping up and breeding on them, do as follows : 



Take a strong knife with a sharp point, and a sharp hook- 

 like iron made for the purpose ; with these scrape clean off 

 all the moss and outside rough bark, and with the knife pick 

 out or cut away the cankered parts of the bark and wood, in 

 such a slanting manner that water cannot lodge in the sides 

 of the stem of the trees. Having cleared the trees in this 

 way, make up a mixture of lime, soot, and sulphur; put 

 these ingredients into a pot or tub, pour boiling water upon 

 them, and with a stick stir and mix them well together. 

 When this strong mixture becomes cold, and about the 

 thickness of white-wash, take a brush, dip it in the mixture, 

 and apply it to the stems and large branches of the trees, 

 dabbing it well into the hollow parts of the bark. 



The pruning of hardy fruit trees and hardy shrubs may 

 be performed at all favourable opportunities through the 

 winter, 21 to 24. 



For farther information on the winter management ol 

 Fruit Trees, the reader is referred to the articles corumenc 

 ing pages 7, 13, 21, 30 and 32. 



