JANUARY.] FLOWER GARDENOF PRUNING, &c. 27 



All the above plants except Anemone and Ranunculus 

 are kept in perfection in the Green-house; but where 

 neither this nor framing can be obtained, they will, in 

 most winters, keep tolerably, if well covered with litter 

 the roughest from the stable, straw or hay, or such 

 like, using means to secure it from being blown over 

 the whole garden. 



OF PRUNING AND PREPARING FOR SPRING. 



It is not advisable to carry on a general pruning in 

 this month, in whatever state the weather may be. 

 The severest frosts generally are yet to come, and 

 too frequently in this operation, what is done now has 

 to be repeated on the opening of spring, causing at 

 that time work to a disadvantage ; because, if pruning, 

 when done just now, is accomplished judiciously, 

 whatever more on the same bush is requisite to be 

 done in spring, from the effects of frost, will be in- 

 judicious. Hence it is far preferable to delay it until 

 the frost is over, when all can be done to advantage. 



There are, undoubtedly, some shrubs that may be 

 pruned any time, from the end of November to the first 

 of March, such as Hibiscus synacus (Jllthea), and all its 

 varieties, except the Double White, which is in some 

 instances entirely killed by our severe winter, and cer- 

 tainly, for precaution, would be the better of some sim- 

 ple protection. 



In many seasons, the beginning of this month is 

 open, and admits of the operation of digging, which if 

 it is not all done as advised last month, ought not to 



