276 
OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
that are delicately beautiful and last a long time, and also as many as possible that 
have an agreeable odour. 
Out of doors, the operations of digging and manuring should be proceeded 
with. From the supposition that flowering-plants are rendered rank and infertile 
by manure, it is too often discarded altogether from the flower-garden. But a 
little manure is of great service to summer flowering-plants generally ; as it both 
makes them less liable to be harmed by drought, and also gives them a richness 
they would otherwise want. It should, however, be well decayed, and almost in 
a state of pulverization. 
For any fine and rather tender herbaceous plants, that lose their leaves in 
winter, a mulching of manure will answer the double purpose of protection and 
enrichment. It should be put on immediately. Fuchsias in the open ground 
would be quite sufficiently protected by such an application. 
As to the advantage or disadvantage of digging over shrubbery borders each 
winter, the existence of diversified opinions renders some consideration requisite. 
In most instances, where two extremes of practice prevail, the intermediate course 
may be regarded as the right one. And this seems to be a correct rule with 
respect to the subject under notice ; for digging, like other things, must be regulated 
chiefly by circumstances. Where the borders are so much shaded and confined, 
or the soil so clayey that herbaceous flowering plants will not flourish, it is 
certainly much better to turf them over, and not dig them at all. But where they 
are open to the sun, and in a situation suitable for displaying flowers, and the soil 
is appropriate, they should unquestionably have their surface dug over with a 
spade or a fork, to the depth of at least four inches. This is necessary for the 
flowers ; it is necessary, on account of the treading which will occur on the border, 
and it will mostly benefit the shrubs by admitting air to their roots, and rendering 
the earth porous and light, besides giving an opportunity for curtailing the roots 
of the commoner kinds. 
The case is materially different when the border is filled entirely with fine- 
rooted shrubs, such as American plants, in a soil principally composed of heath- 
mould. It would be very injudicious to dig this. But then, it should be care- 
fully preserved from being trodden upon ; for it is of prime importance to keep it 
open, and capable of admitting atmospheric influence. 
