THE GARDEN CALENDAR 113 



differently from those in bushform, but the principles of preserving 

 symmetry, renewing wood for vigor and spacing for opportunity are 

 still to be applied. The bright December days, sharp tools and keen 

 interest make pruning study and practice particularly delightful. 



Cuttings of roses and other hard wood which roots readily, can be 

 taken in any quantity from the prunings. Well-matured shoots of 

 medium size, straight and clean, in six to eight-inch lengths (rejecting 

 the softer wood of the tips) make quick rooting if buried two-thirds 

 of their length in moist, well-drained loam. Cuttings of hardy, soft 

 growth, like geraniums or pansies, also find adequate heat in December, 

 although the tenderer herbaceous plants will do better later. Trans- 

 planting of deciduous trees, shrubs, vines, etc., is also timely and 

 orders to nurserymen should not be delayed. All this can be done 

 later, it is true, because California has nearly half the year for plant- 

 ing deciduous growths, but you can often get better plants by early 

 orders and better results by early planting. 



Continue planting seeds of hardy flowers; though top growth may be 

 slow the roots will establish themselves. If your land lies low and is 

 liable to fill with water, dig or plow up ridges and plant upon their 

 crests. Keep thinking and inventing to secure slight shelter, to avoid 

 excess of water and to corner the slanting sun rays and you will 

 surprise yourself with your December achievements. 



The December garden need not be bare, though it too often is, even 

 in California. Violets, started into new life by September rain or ir- 

 rigation, will fill the air with fragrance. Hardy bulbs, like narcissus 

 and others, freely open their cups and tubes to catch the raindrops. 

 The geraniums are gorgeous. Roses and chrysanthemums still linger 

 in fact, an innumerable host of blooms may cover the garden, if the 

 planter plans for them. The brilliant red of the toyon, or California 

 holly berries, in their evergreen setting, will always be our formal 

 Christmas decorations, but the California home garden will fill the 

 vases or shower the damask of the Christmas dinner table with many 

 hues and forms of beauty, without recourse to the conservatory, if 

 one but gardens wisely and devotedly. 



It is still possible to catch up with fall-bulb planting and may even 

 be desirable to plant late if moisture has been delayed, for these bulbs 

 delight in moist air and soil, which, fortunately, are normally earlier 

 in beginning. Still one will get gladness from late planted bulbs for 

 our usual frosts do not vex their growth. 



Seed planting of herbaceous annuals and perennials may also con- 

 tinue, if there is not too much cold water in the soil. 



Preparation is timely for planting out dormant roots of perennials 

 or growing plants thereof, in the warmer parts of the state. Good, 

 deep spading or forking of spaces for such planting should be done 

 and well rotted manure freely mixed in during working the soil. 



