MONTHLY CALENDAR OF WORK. 

 IN THE NURSERY, ORCHARD, AND FRUIT-GARDEN. 



(These directions, as they read, are mostly adapted to the season in the Northern States, 

 but they may be made to apply readily to all other portions of the Union, by making 

 them about one day earlier for each twelve miles of diminished latitude. For example, 

 allowance should be made of about three or four weeks earlier for southern Virginia 

 and similar latitudes, and six weeks or more for the Gulf States.) 



JANUARY. 



Tread the snow about young trees to prevent the gnawing of 

 mice. Rabbits may be prevented from injuring trees by rubbing 

 them with blood, see p. 186. 



Provide surface drainage for water caused by thaws or rain. 



Hardy young trees may be pruned in the winter, covering large 

 wounds, as described on p. 92. 



Cut grafts and pack them away, p. 37. 



Guard carefully against the intrusions of cattle. 



Tree purchasers may now ascertain where trees may be best ob- 

 tained, and orders may be made out. 



Nurserymen may prepare for spring work by procuring materials 

 for packing, p. 143. 



They may now commence root-grafting, p. 177. 



Manure may be spread over the surface about young trees, to 

 enrich the land, and protect from winter cold. 



Young orchards should be accurately registered, p. 68. 



Grape-vines for early fruiting by fire-heat, now coming into leaf, 

 should be kept at 60 or 65. Pinch upper shoots, and encourage 

 lower, especially on vines in pots. 



FEBRUARY. 



Follow the directions of last month, most of which apply to the 

 present. 



Cut off and destroy all caterpillars' eggs on the shoots of orchards, 

 p. 145. 



Top-dress with manure the surface of orchards wherever they 

 lack vigor, or which do not make annual shoots a foot or more 

 long. 



