392 MONTHLY CALENDAK. [December. 



Protect the beds where fruit seeds and cuttings were 

 planted last month, by a covering of light manure, compost, 

 or leaves of trees. 



Winter pruning may- be performed this month on some 

 species of hardy trees, shrubs, vines, &c. and continued at 

 all opportunities throughout the next month, 253. 



" A wet sultry Summer, prognostics affirm, 

 A boist'rous Autumn will bring in its turn ; 

 A cold sour Autumn and ISummer portend 

 A Winter severe from beginning to end." 



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VEGETABLE DEPARTMENT. 



If all was not done as directed last month, there is now 

 no time to be lost. Every thing that needs protection 

 should be timely attended to, and if the weather continues 

 open, some of the ground may be ploughed or trenched, to 

 receive the benefit of Winter frosts. Collect all your pea 

 sticks and bean poles together, and place them undercover 

 to prevent their rotting. Turn over compost heaps, and 

 provide manure for another year. 



Those who are desirous of having Cucumbers or Melons, 

 early in the ensuing Spring, and that have not the conveni- 

 ence for forcing them in the ordinary way, may dig a few 

 grass sods or turfs, before it freezes hard, and stow them 

 away out of the reach of frost, through the Winter. 

 These being placed on the top of a hot-bed, in March or 

 early in April, with the grass downwards ; and Cucumber 

 or Melon seeds, planted in the earthy part thereof, early 

 plants may he produced which can be removed with the 

 turfs without disturbing their growth, and cultivated either 

 on the ridge system, as recommended in page 119, or in the 

 open ground, provided they can be kept growing in frames 

 until settled warm weather. This is also an excellent plan 

 in early forcing, as it saves trouble as well as risk, in trans- 

 planting seedling plants into the fruiting beds. 



If not done last month, dress your Artichoke beds, and 

 cover them as recommended page 25. Defend Mushroom 

 beds with dry straw, or long stable litter, and cover such as 



