WHEN TO COMMENCE A GARDEN. 153 



is much need for pruning-knife, stake, and 

 twine, that neatness at least may gratify the 

 eye. 



But we pass on to the garden. There is 

 scope for any amount of energy in remedying 

 the past and providing for the future. 



The raspberries and blackberries are done 

 bearing, but the producing vines are left, draw- 

 ing their useless life from the strength of the 

 plants, and taking from the growth of the new 

 wood that must produce the following year. 

 Leaving these old vines after they have done 

 bearing, is like tying a horse after a journey, 

 on the side of a hill, where he must stand pull- 

 ing to no purpose. They will be cut out at 

 once, and not burned, but carried to the com- 

 post heap, where, covered with weeds and rub- 

 bish they will decay, so that they can be used 

 the following season. Rotted, they will be 

 worth more than their ashes, and the successful 



