NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. 181 



forget to make the borders gay with plenty of free 

 blooming common roots, such as wallflowers, Canter- 

 bury bells, sweet Williams, foxgloves, fine Veronicas, 

 and all kinds of showy, handsome perennials. 



As many simply-made hot-beds as there can be found 

 room, material, and frames for, will be quite sure to get 

 filled with advantage. Make the bottom of the beds 

 below the level of the ground, and, to drain it, lay in 

 nine inches thickness of dry litter, such as the straw 

 with the manure shaken out. Over this spread a little 

 older litter, and tread it down well ; then a few inches 

 thickness of half-decayed leaf-mould, and collected 

 stuff of that kind, with a little earth, and a wheel- 

 barrowful of lime, all well mixed together, to get rid of 

 worms, &c., this also trodden down well. Over all 

 place a sufficient thickness of light earth, if it is for 

 cuttings, and if for keeping potted plants tan, cinder, 

 ashes, or any medium in which to plunge them, or a 

 thin layer for them to stand upon. A bed can be made 

 out of sight whenever the requisite material presents 

 itself. 



SUMMARY. Lay up material for composts. Prepare 

 for winter by protecting, taking up, potting, and pruning 

 in climbers. Set the flower beds in order, collect 

 material for hot-beds, divide roots, move evergreens 

 (if not done), and plant the garden with a view to gay 

 flowers in the spring. Make hot-beds when the neces- 

 sary material is ready. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



GARDEN OPERATIONS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. 



LITTLE remains to be done before the end of the year 

 but to look to the last month's work and see that nothing 

 is left undone ; no choice plant intended to stay out the 

 winter left without the protection necessary to keep off 

 winter frost and wet ; and no cherished flower, which 



