264 
OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
This having been a remarkably fine season for planting, on account of its continued openness, 
and the dampness which has prevailed in the atmosphere, it may be supposed that a good deal 
of it has now been completed. It is always desirable to forward this process as much as 
possible ; for, when frost actually sets in, there are sometimes, as in last winter, left no 
favourable intervals of mild weather, for getting the planting done before spring. But as, 
from the ground not having been early enough prepared, or from any other circumstance, much 
of the planting may yet be unaccomplished, we would suggest that it is a bad plan to attempt it 
immediately after a heavy rain or a thaw, since the earth is then apt to be so much affected by 
treading on it as to become sodden. 
In removing large specimens, which require to have balls got up with them, the operator 
cannot be too strongly enjoined to take a very wide circuit in digging about the roots, and 
gradually drawing in nearer to the stem as the outer roots are disengaged from the soil. A 
fork should by all means be used instead of a spade, in the first instance ; and afterwards a 
pointed stick can be employed to loosen the soil from the outside of the ball, taking a spade to 
shovel out the earth thus liberated. The ball and roots must be well covered up with mats as 
soon as the plant is fairly lifted, and kept covered till it is set in its new position. It is of the 
last consequence to keep plants out of the ground as short a time as possible. 
When the whole of the leaves have fallen from the trees, and all the transplanting is done, 
the leaves can then be raked off the beds, borders, and shrubberies, and these be roughly 
pointed over, and left to mellow during the winter. Or, the leaves may be left lying on them, 
and dug in where they have fallen. It would be impolitic to dig over these parts before the last 
of the leaves have been shed ; for, in many places, where this is done too early, the garden has 
a slovenly appearance all the winter, from the latest leaves lying about along the margins of the 
borders, and around the stems of the plants. 
Just before digging over the borders, &c., all pruning must be attended to, and any manure 
applied that may be wanted, and everything be properly staked and fastened, and those shrubs 
layered that require layering. At the same time, herbaceous plants can be divided, layers taken 
from plants which were put down the previous winter, and every other such matter looked after, 
as it will not do to have to tread over the ground after it has been dug. Cuttings taken from 
any particular shrub while pruning, may now also be put in, if the kind is desired to be increased. 
A place in the kitchen or reserve-garden should always be set apart for this purpose, for it is 
very useful to be able to get a specimen of any sort when it is wanted. Any evergreens, too, 
that have become ragged and straggling, can be pruned back at the top, and have their lower 
branches layered. This is a good way to form bushy, broad, and spreading specimens. 
A few bulbs should be put every week into a small hot-bed-frame, or pit, and thus a 
succession of flowering plants will be kept up for the greenhouse, conservatory, or drawing-room. 
Let the pots be plunged in old bark, about one or two inches above the rim, and the growth of 
the bulbs will be commenced in a much more satisfactory manner than if this were neglected. 
Heat and dampness are as much the enemies of plants in houses at this season, as frost. 
And hence, all dry air that can be given will be of the utmost value. Very little watering will 
of course be needed. Numbers of the hard- wooded greenhouse plants which shed their leaves 
may be cut down, and put away in the corner of a shed or cellar. They will prove extremely 
useful in filling up the flower-garden and borders next season. Everything that would occasion 
dampness, or harbour it should it otherwise abound, must be instantly cleared away, in houses, 
pits, and frames. 
Preparations should constantly be kept ready for sheltering any tender things that may have 
to remain in the open air. It must be borne in mind, however, that many plants are more 
injured by protection than by exposure, and it should be the business of the cultivator to 
ascertain which these are, and act accordingly. Others, again, would not be hurt by frost, but 
are greatly damaged by winds. For these, a different sort of shelter should be provided, and 
one that only screens them at the sides, without covering them in at the top. In all instances, 
the covering ought to be opened as frequently as practicable, for plants are apt to be made 
too tender, and become blanched, and be otherwise prejudiced, by a too constant or too dense 
protection. 
