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diated. That a small amount of frost will not be 

 prejudicial, providing the wood is thoroughly ripe, 

 and is cooled down by degrees, we do not doubt ; a 

 temperature of 32 to 40 degs., however, as a general 

 maxim, will be found everything that is requisite, 

 providing the root is right, and the top management 

 in the preceding summer as here detailed. Above all 

 things, let no tyro in vine-culture expose the stems 

 of his vines suddenly to a thermometer indicating 1 

 degs. of frost ; more especially if just in the com- 

 mencement of the rest period, or at the termination 

 of it. Vines in doors, even without fires, can scarcely 

 suffer without a very severe frost. Those, however, 

 recently removed from the hothouse, or pine-stove, 

 should always, when placed outside, during the 

 months of December or January, be covered immedi- 

 ately with mats or litter. 



12. Border Management, Renovation of 

 Bad Borders, &c. — The first maxim we would 

 here lay down is, providing the borders are rightly 

 constructed, never allow any garden tool, whether 

 spade or fork, to be used in them. There are excep- 

 tions in all matters, we know, but, in the present state 

 of garden affairs, when so much meddling of this 

 kind is in practice, we would rather content ourselves 

 with giving prominence to the rule. Our maxim is, 

 as soon as the leaves are falling or crumbling from 

 the vine, to apply what manure is necessary as a top- 



