570 THE ORCHARD. [DEC. 



By this method the trees will not be so sensible of the sudden 

 transition from the depth of winter to spring, when you kindle fires, 

 as they would if the lights were not now put on ; and it will gradu- 

 ally bring your trees to a state of vegetation, for the works of na- 

 ture are performed by degrees, and not in a hurry. For general in- 

 formation respecting the constructing of forcing-frames and houses, 

 of every kind, and the methods of working them, see the Fruit- 

 Garden for January, &c. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



In such of the southern states as have not severe frost in winter, 

 you may now prune apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, necta- 

 rines and apricots ; quinces, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, and 

 every other kind of fruit-tree, the orange family and the fig ex- 

 cepted. You may also plant all the above, and any other sorts with 

 great propriety at this season, excepting the orange family only. 

 For the methods of pruning, see January, and of planting, see March. 



THE ORCHARD. 



APPLES and pear-trees that are in good health, may now be 

 pruned agreeably to the directions given in page 38, &c. to which 

 I particularly refer you ; but it will be better to defer the pruning 

 of stone-fruit trees to February, and of all trees that are in a bad 

 state of health to the beginning of March, in which month, (p. 216, 

 &c.) you will find the best methods of treating them for the resto- 

 ration of their health and vigour. 



Rub and scrape off moss wherever it appears on your fruit-trees, 

 it robs them of their nourishment, prevents their free perspiration, 

 and is an enemy to them in every way. 



You may now cart manure into the orchard, and spread it over 

 the whole ground, if necessary, or over the roots of such trees as 

 you think are in most need of it ; this \vill not only be of very con- 

 siderable service to the trees, but also to any crops of grass or 

 grain, See. that you expect off the place the ensuing seasons. 



It will be of considerable advantage to new-planted trees to lay 

 long-litter, Sec. round their roots to protect them from frost, as 

 directed in the Fruit-Garden for this month. 



The hedges which enclose your orchard and other compartments, 

 and that are grown tall, straggling, and thin, may now be cut down 

 and plashed, as directed in page 260 ; you need be under no appre- 

 hension of their suffering by frost, especially the white-thorns. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



When the ground continues open in winter, or so much so, as 

 not to interrupt the operation of ploughing, you may manure your 



