THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
87 
DIGGING FLOWER-BORDEES IN WINTER. 
0 me it appears a great mistake to dig either before 
Christmas, or for some weeks after, those borders that 
contain mixed collections of flowering bulbs and plants ; 
and yet this is commonly done, because certain tradi- 
tional rules must be observed, and are continually being 
enforced in some of our garden calendars. These calendars say, 
“ All borders must be dug before Christmas, previous to frost setting 
in, so that the earth may be benefited.” I am not a disciple of this 
mode of teaching, for on all possible occasions do I evade it, though 
employers are often very urgent for its adoption, as a matter of neat- 
ness and order ; and so far they are right. But I can with the hoe 
and rake comply with this wish without disturbing the soil either 
with the spade or fork until the period I consider it desirable. Now, 
I argue that from the middle of February to the middle of March is 
the most suitable time for digging or forking the border. My reason 
may be briefly stated. If you begin and finish the operation in the 
autumn, you must, in the act of digging, unless they are specially 
marked, disturb occasionally the clumps of bulbous roots and other 
plants whose crowns may not be visible. Such things as pseonies, 
delphiniums, day-lilies, etc., are very likely to suffer. Many of those 
plants that are partly hidden by leaves and earth are injured at the 
roots, if their crowns are not damaged. I contend, also, by disturb- 
ing the soil to the depth it is done, that the late autumn rains are 
allowed to penetrate more freely, and thus the earth to a certain 
extent is deprived of its natural heat, and, should frost set in, its 
severity will be felt quicker by those plants whose roots have been 
so far exposed by the digging. If the decayed stalks of plants and 
other rubbish are removed, and the ground somewhat levelled with 
the rake in the autumn, and otherwise made to look neat, that will 
sufiSce to the period for digging which I have recommended. It 
must not be forgotten that in some winters the earth, for several 
weeks, is more or less hidden by a covering of snow. 
But the main object of my recommendation is this ; I believe 
that we shall the better preserve many of our dwmrfest herbaceous 
]>lants whose roots travel but a few inches below the surface, and 
from whence are issued their future flowering shoots. Besides this, 
we are, by the postponement of the digging to the dawn of spring, 
enabled to ascertain the exact spot v\ here the bulbs and other 
hitherto dormant roots are planted. We can then avoid destroying 
their rootlets; and if we are using manure, we can then judiciously 
supply it to the roots of those plants that most need it. Of course, 
if a re-arrangement of the plants in the border is necessary, then 
the autumn is the most advisable season for that operation. Late 
digging has also this advantage, that where you sow annuals or 
transplant them in a small state, the early weeds are not so apt to 
get in advance of their growth, and in plying the Dutch hoe you 
can readily discern the plants from the weeds. Another benefit is 
March. 
