CHAPTER XIII DECEMBER 

 RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 



THE Christmas month, in this climate, is not 

 one of garden growth, to any great extent. 

 It is a time of expectation, in that a freeze- 

 up is presumably imminent on any December 

 night. It is a time for protection, as well; for after 

 that first freeze-up, which ideally should be a mild 

 one, it is orthodox to tuck in the covers, draw up 

 the blankets, and make sure that the garden plant- 

 folk are all "comfy" for the winter. It is this pro- 

 cess that promotes retrospect, and it is a queer 

 gardener who is not also continually thinking of 

 the future, of next year's prospect. 



But December is not all bleak winter here, by 

 any means. The earlier days are often mild and 

 pleasant, and the hardier remainders of the gar- 

 den year take prompt advantage of any sun- 

 encouragement. During the first week of the 

 month I have found scabious, candytuft and gail- 

 lardias in comfortable bloom. Of course I expect 

 to see pansies opening in every month in the year, 

 and have not now, nor often, been disappointed. 



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