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CL 



THE GENESEE FARMEE. 



879 



they penetrated it. A top dressing of this leaf-mold 'vyould be one of the very best 

 applications to a Strawberry bed. No man shonld think of using tan bark if he can 

 get rotten leaves ; indeed, we have no faith in tan bark any way as a mulching. 



In the preparation of hot-beds and forcing-pits, leaves are of groat value, as they 

 make the heat milder and more durable. One-half or one-third leaves, and the remain- 

 der stable manure, well mixed, make an excellent hot-bed. 



Gardens are often ruined by the application, year after year, of one kind of manure — 

 the soil becomes sodden and sour — and if a good dressing of rotten leaves be given 

 occasionally, it would restore it to a more healthy and natural condition for cropping. 

 There is not sufficient discrimination exercised in the application of man-ure. Most 

 people seem to suppose that if they apply an abundance of enriching material, no mat- 

 ter what it be, they should secure good crops, and when they fail they are at a loss to 

 know why. The fact is, a soil may be worn om< by a continiied application of the same 

 kind of manure, as well as by continued cropping without manure. This every gar- 

 dener knows. A change is necessary ; and under all conditions leaf-mold is good. It 

 supplies the very substances of which the soil has been deprived by previous crops, and 

 in a state perfectly harmless. 



The leisure season is at hand, and we recommend those who have gardens to devote 

 a portion of it to the gathering up ©f leaves. 



Garden Hints for December. — It often happens that even here at the. north a con- 

 siderable portion of this month is open, and allows out-door work to be carried on. 

 Last year we planted trees till within a few days of Christmas. Every fine day should 

 be improved, until the ground is frozen solid. All kitchen gardens should be spaded up 

 in the fall, and manured. If grubs are troublesome, apply a dressing of soot and ashes. 



Fruit trees should be mulched. Mulching protects the roots from frost, and renders 

 the tree less sensible to sudden and violent changes of temperature. If the ground be 

 already rich, and manure dangerous, mulch with leaves. Spread them about the tree 

 six inches deep, and throw a little earth over them, to keep them from being blown 

 away. Stake up carefully, or in some way secure, newly planted trees from being rocked 

 about by the winds : an opening is soon made at the base of the tree, in which water 

 lodges, and when it freezes the tree is frequently destroyed. 



Cover Strawberry beds with leaves ; some iinds are tender, and are nearly killed out 

 by a severe winter, if there be little snow. All sorts, ^hardy or not, are the better for 

 being covered. The leaves can be raked oflf on the opening of spring. 



Raspberries should be protected, and the best way is to fasten the canes to the ground 

 by means of a hooked peg, and cover with leaves or some earth. When the canes are. 

 much injured by winter, the crop is poor. Protection is cheap and safe. 



Beds of bulbous roots, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Japan Lilies, &c., should be covered 

 with leaves. Carnations, and other herbaceous plants, may be nicely protected by a 

 covering of moss from the wood. 



Rare or tender evergreen trees may be very tastefully protected, by boughs of ever- 

 greens fastened around them by unconspicuous ties. This is safer than straw sheathing, 

 and much less unsightly in the landscape. 



T\\Q fruit room and root cellar will need frequent examination, to see that all decaying 

 objects are removed .promptly. Both these places should be kept uniformly cool as pos- 

 sible, not to freeze, and quite dry. 



Dahlia roots are often lost by being housed in a damp state, and left in a cellar. 

 They should be well dried, even if fire heat be necessary, and then put on shelves in a 

 dry place. They must also be looked to occasionally, and moldy, decaying parts 

 removed, and, if need be, moved to a dryer place. 



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