THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



445 



In the winter-pruning, take pieces of tin, six or seven inches 

 in length, { fig. a b), the refuse of the tin-workers' shops will 

 do, and at convenient distances turn it over the shoot intended 

 to remain, and thrust part of the two ends {a a) between the 

 tiles or slates. The weight of the incumbent tile or slate 

 will be sufficient to keep the shoot in the place, so as not to 

 be disturbed by winds. 



PLANTING FRUIT-TREES. 



All sorts of fruit trees may now be planted, if the weather 

 be fine and the ground tolerably dry. It is, however, not 

 advisable to plant in heavy wet lands at this season, for spring 

 planting will, in such cases, be attended with more success. 

 However, in lands tolerably dry, if the ground has been 

 prepared as directed in January, February, &c. they may 

 be planted in dry days, any time from the beginning of this 

 month till the beginning of April. 



PRUNING SMALL FRUITS. 



Such plants as gooseberries, currants, and raspberries, 

 should now be pruned, if there be time to spare. However, 

 any time from now till the end of February will do equally 

 well. Nevertheless, the more of this work which is done at this 

 time, the less will be left to be done in the spring, which is 

 generally a busy time for the gardener. It ought to be a 

 maxim never lost sight of, Never to leave for to-morrow, 

 what can conveniently be done to-day." We can form no 

 idea of the hinderance and obstruction which we may meet 

 with in tlie winter months, therefore the more that is done 

 now, with propriety, to forward the work of the garden, the 

 greater the benefit which will be derived. 



