SPRING WORK 35 
son of a part of its flowers. Vines that make an 
exceedingly vigorous growth each year, like 
Clematis paniculata, are usually pruned very se- 
verely. 
Crocuses, Scilla sibirica, glory-of-the-snow and 
the common coltsfoot need a little watching in 
March, that their bloom may not flash in the pan 
because of too much covering. 
Burn up in March all rubbish, including any 
rakings, that may have been gathered; if it is dry, 
it is quickly disposed of and is that much out of 
the way. The village fire rule of making a bon- 
fire not less than thirty feet from a building is a 
good one. If the wind is toward a building even 
twice that distance away, or is blowing very strong 
in any direction, wait for a more favorable day. 
A dry pile of rubbish may be started by thrust- 
ing a crumpled sheet or two of newspaper under 
the bottom on the windward side and touching a 
match to it. When there are green twigs to be 
burned, it is better to make a more careful job of 
it. Put some paper and dry grass on the ground 
and then the dry twigs and wood on top. Add 
only a portion of the green stuff, or there will be 
too much smoke, and feed the remainder when the 
fire is burning briskly. Throw on whatever rub- 
bish the house and barn hold. And never let the 
fire go long unwatched; not at all if children are 
about. 
Look over the garden tools; sharpen the old 
ones and order the new ones, that April may find 
