THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



seed, and insure early germination. Cover 

 very lightly with a dressing of finely-sifted 

 manure. I don't recommend covering lawns 

 with coarse manure, for it is unsightly, and very 

 difficult to remove in the spring without injur- 

 ing the sod. 



Syringas, snowballs and lilacs may still be 

 planted. Sheathe the tender and half-hardy 

 roses in straw. 



DECEMBER 



All round the place there are jobs to be done. 

 Remove dead vines, stocks and annuals, and 

 trim all permanent vines, plants and shrubs, for 

 nothing looks so desolate as the lifeless ghosts 

 of summer. Mend drives and fences; prune 

 ornamental trees and fruit-trees. Clear rub- 

 bish and brush from the edges of ponds from 

 which ice is to be cut. Get the ice-house in order. 



Take advantage of the long evenings to read 

 up on any of the subjects which have bothered 

 you during the past season, and generally gather 



up all the loose ends in every department. Make 



429 



