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January's Work in the Garden 
I By John Johnson, Massachusetts | 
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NONE but the half-hearted can allow this opportune 
season to pass without pledging himself to at 
least one good resolution for the coming year. 
Knergies anew must be constantly taxed. Our environ- 
ment demands it. Do what we may, we shall never 
exhaust the possibilities which gardening ofTers. That 
gardening and gardeners are on the improve is ap- 
])roached with no denial, yet we cannot, nay — must not, 
atiord to let the long winter evenings slip away without 
an effort to solve one or more of the many problems 
incident to our calling. 
What shall be the curriculum? A profuund study of 
botany, broader and more practical views on landscape 
gardening, or merely a general survey of current garden 
work. Some readers might argue with "ifs" and "buts" 
as to the merit of botanical knowledge in connection with 
everyday gardening. 
Although plant nomenclature has always been more 
or less confusing, and that even practiced by botanists 
themselves is not quite unified, specific and varietal 
names as applied by the botanist have almost invariably 
a direct bearing on some existent characteristic of the 
plants to which they have reference. 
So that, if nothing else, a knowledge of botany will 
often render possible the identification of certain species 
and varieties of plants. Moreover, a knowledge of plant 
physiology ofifers to the gardener the advantage of apply- 
ing correct cultural treatment to plants previously un- 
known to him. That there still is room for learning 
something of yet another and co-ordinate branch of hor- 
titicultural science is instanced by the ever increasing 
number of professional landscape architects. What a 
great boon would establish were the private gardener to 
know more, or knowing, would accomplish more in 
this direction. The art of garden making is one of con- 
siderable scope, affording room for the development of 
artistic arrangement under the general principles of 
taste, judgment, and genius. Real landscape gardening 
is founded on the skilful manipulation of natural ad- 
vantages, so that as great a diversity of harmonious 
scenes may obtain within a limited area. The tendency 
toward direct ornamentation still persists, although a 
lasting appreciation of any layout is directly opposed to 
a scheme of much artificial and fantastic embellishment. 
This phase of gardening, a truly vital and limitless field, 
is left largely uncultivated by the private gardener — the 
professional gardener. Give the subject some thought 
during the long winter evenings. Make it a practice, 
henceforward, to suggest, to plan, and to carry out im- 
provements whenever possible. It is part of the garden- 
er's own work. A part of his work that when success- 
fully undertaken, cannot fail to improve gardening and 
gardener in the employer's esteem. 
y\s these notes open the calendar of another year, an 
obligation on our part is to remind patrons that advice 
on garden matters demand of the reader the exercise of 
judgment. Although the directions, which follow, may 
be regarded as an average for the latitude of New York, 
peculiarities of climate and of season are beyond our 
control. With such allowances duly made, it is hoped 
that our efforts may not be futile. 
It is a matter of ordinary jirudence to caution the less 
practiced hands against what may later prove a vain 
conflict with nature. Seeds sown at this season of the 
year require careful watching. Therefore, attempt little 
more in this direction than it is felt can be brought to a 
successful issue. Where space permits and occasion de- 
mands, make a sowing in the greenhouse of lettuce and 
cauliflower intended for frame culture. Crops of these 
vegetables growing freely should have abundance of 
water and ventilation whenever conditions warrant. 
Mustard and Cress are salads of easy culture and may 
be raised throughout the winter in any odd corner of the 
greenhouse. To be enjoyed, either or both must be cut 
in the seed leaf and, therefore, must be raised from small 
but frequent sowings. Cress requires about two days 
longer than mustard to develop. Sow the seed in flats 
without covering" with soil and put them under the green- 
house bench until germination takes place, after which 
a position in the light should be given until the crop is 
ready for use. Grown in this way, very little room is 
required to keep up a succession. 
Radishes are usually in demand at all seasons. To be 
of appreciable quality these must be grown quickly. 
Seeds scattered thinly in drills between newly planted 
lettuce or cauliflower will mature before the latter are 
ready for use. 
Onions and leeks required for the mid-summer and 
early autumn shows should be sown forthwith. A pinch 
of seed sown in flats of fine soil and given a temperature 
of 60 degrees will ensure good germination. With ex- 
treme care transplant the seedlings to other flats as soon 
as they can be nicely handled ; or pot off singly into 2j/^- 
inch pots in soil containing very little fertilizer. Spray 
the }oung plants overhead on all bright days, but be 
careful not to over-water. Keep them near the glass in 
a steady temperature and admit air when the plants have 
recovered from the effects of being moved. 
Orchard. The winter pruning of fruit trees is an 
essential operation, although just when and how to prune 
is largely a matter of individual opinion. Observation 
reveals that- in a general way, several years of orchard 
pruning by the same individuals resolves itself into an 
almost perfect system of thinning out by cutting away 
weak and dead wood, crossing branches and so on, with 
a view to preserving shapely, well-balanced, fruitful 
trees. In limited areas intensive treatment is possible. 
.An instance of which is to be found in that good old 
garden practice — summer pruning, or the pinching-in 
of superfluous growths in July. This summer pruning 
encourages the development of fruitful spurs and blos- 
som buds, and obviates the necessity of severe winter 
pruning. In the case of old neglected apple trees and 
pear trees, it is usually desirable to thin both the crowded 
spurs and branches. This not only promotes healthier 
growth, but induces a better "set" and finer quality fruit. 
Bush Fruits. Where birds are especially numerous, 
some gardeners delay the pruning of gooseberry bushes 
until late in the spring. It might be assumed that if 
left to themselves, the birds will serve all shoots alike, 
so there is little to be gained by leaving the work. Wood 
developed last season is capable of yielding most fruit. 
Cut off the points of such of these growths as will be 
retained at about eighteen inches from the point of origin. 
Cut hard back all surplus growths, and any that might 
touch the ground when laden with fruit. Keep the main 
shoots at least six inches ajjart to facilitate the work of 
gntherinc: the fruit. 
