24 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



of the leaves have fallen off. In the case of vines intended 

 to start only when nature moves them and ripen a crop in 

 ordinary course of the season, the borders may be lightly 

 pointed over with the fork, and then have a good coating of 

 well-rotted farm-yard manure, and over this a coat of stable 

 litter. 



Advantage should be taken of fine weather, to form new 

 vine borders or to raise the roots of old vines and replant. In 

 case of the latter, raise the vines carefully, and after draining 

 the border, lay a bottom of concrete or other substance, imper- 

 vious to the roots, eighteen inches from the surface, and on 

 such a slope as will carry the water from the roots. Where 

 there is no necessity for lifting, vines may be greatly benefited 

 by removing the exhausted surface soil and replacing it with 

 a top-dressing of maiden earth, bone meal, charcoal, and old 

 farm-yard manure. 



Outside vine borders should be protected with a good 

 coat of dry leaves, fern, or litter, with a view of conserving 

 earth heat and preventing the border from being saturated. 

 When late grapes, such as Alicante and Lady Downes, have 

 to hang on the rods for some time yet, means should be 

 taken to throw off the wet from the outside border. 



Flower Garden. When the weather is dry and the 

 ground in favourable working condition, proceed vigorously 

 with alterations, but avoid as much as possible any such 

 work in wet, sloppy weather ; and if there be any uneven- 

 ness or inequalities in the turf, the sod should be lightly 

 skinned, the bare portion made perfectly solid and firm, and 

 the sod relaid and well rolled. Dig and trench all vacant 

 flower beds, leaving them roughly turned up till required for 

 planting. Plant ornamental trees, shrubs, roses, etc., but 

 only in mild open weather never during frost. Collect 

 fresh composts, and turn and mix old. Take care to have 

 a good supply of all the requisite composts under cover, so 

 that they may be ready for use at all times. Cut out the 

 dead and superfluous wood of rose bushes, leaving, until 

 the first pruning in Spring, the strongest and best of the 

 young wood. Look sharply after rose suckers, remove them 

 at once, and mulch over the roots with rotten manure. If 

 not already done, lose no time in planting hyacinths, bedding 



