126 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. [^December. 



ing on the nature of the season and the state of the soil. 

 If any are planted, let them be those of the hardiest nature, 

 and in light and absorbent soil, not subject to be stagnated 

 or over-flooded during winter. When this and next month 

 are mild, autumn plantings are very frequently as sure as 

 those of the spring. But the precarious state of the season 

 is not to be depended upon, therefore avoid large plantings 

 of any kind, and more especially of delicate roses, the roots 

 of which are apt to rot off, except they have been previous- 

 ly grown in pots. Nothing can be more injurious to a plant, 

 at this season particularly, than to bed its roots in mortar, 

 by which the tender fibres either perish or are cramped ever 

 afterward. The soil at the time of planting should be 

 so friable as not to adhere to the spade, which is a good rule 

 in planting at any season, or in any soil. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Carry out of the garden all decayed leaves and litter of 

 every description, cutting down any weeds that remain. 

 Collect all the stakes and rods that have been supporting 

 plants, tie them up in bundles for the use of next year, and 

 put them under cover. Look over every part of the garden, 

 and see that nothing has been omitted in the way of cover- 

 ing or other protection. The sashes that are to be used on 

 the frames should be perfectly whole, every interstice in the 

 glass puttied, and all ready for use when occasion may re- 

 quire. Attend to all plants in pots, and give them gentle 

 waterings as they stand in need ; but never during the time 

 the soil is frozen about the roots. 



DECEMBER. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Having in the preceding months under this head given 

 details for the protection of plants of a delicate nature, and 



