48 DECEMBER. 



posts of all sorts, and in frosty weather to sweeten 

 and pulverize those already prepared, by succes- 

 sively removing the frozen crust, until the whole 

 has undergone this useful operation. No agent so 

 effectually mellows and pulverizes the soil as frost, 

 which penetrates and separates every particle of 

 which it is composed. 



The vacant borders should be carefully dug, all 

 the walks cleaned and rolled, and above all, a new 

 compost heap, similar to that mentioned in the ob- 

 servations of the last month, should be commenced 

 for the ensuing year. 



Out of doors a general gloom now prevails in the 

 flower garden, when not enlivened by plantations of 

 showy evergreens. These are consolatory, and re- 

 mind us of better times past and to come. The 

 brilliant striped and plain hollies, with scarlet and 

 yellow berries, the arbutus, the laurel, and above 

 all, the humble lauristinus, which still blooms in 

 sheltered situations. Let your walks and winter 

 garden be decorated by a judicious selection from 

 the rich variety the nurseries afford, and the eye 

 will scarcely regret the bloom of summer. In the 

 green-house, some of the Heaths from the Cape 

 exhibit their varied blossoms ; the chrysanthemum 

 and the camellias begin to display their beauteous 

 and symmetric flowers. 



The stove also, where this luxury is in use, now 

 boasts of its roses, tulips, hyacinths, &c., rendering 

 these appendages to the garden doubly dear to its 

 tasteful admirers. 



