696 A MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



the pots with litter, and keep the house closed in severe weather. Be- 

 ware of bulfinches and chaffinches, which often make a merry meal off 

 the buds in winter. Trap these, mice, and other vermin. If aphis 

 appear, syringe the plants with strong soot or quassia-water, or with 

 Gishurst's Compound in the proportion of four ounces to the gallon. 

 Wash the woodwork and glass ; paint, repair, and clean, ready for the 

 coming season, fig-house the frost should be kept out ; and if the 

 trees need any pruning, it should now be done. Continue to prune and 

 nail in mild weather. Partially unnail the shoots of Peach and Nec- 

 tarine trees. Protect Strawberries in pots, and all fruit-trees intended 

 for forcing. Dig, point, or top-dress fruit quarters where pruning is 

 completed. 



NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND JANUARY. 



It is hoped the young gardener will find leisure during the long 

 evenings of the winter months to improve himself by reading, to which 

 he should add writing and drawing, including of course arithmetic and 

 mensuration. In these days, when the employers of gardeners are 

 readers of gardening books, and often possess a considerable knowledge 

 of botany, vegetable physiology, and practical horticulture, the young 

 man who does not occupy every moment of his spare time in im- 

 proving himself, has no chance whatever of getting or keeping a good 

 situation as head gardener. 



