278 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
for tlie purpose of warding-off frost and drenching rains. Get the trees tied in 
the next house, and make all ready for starting them by the end of the month. 
Cherries: If these fruits are required very early, the trees should be got 
under glass by the end of the month ; plunge the pots, and top-dress them with 
fresh loam and rotten manure. A temperature of 45° at night is sufficient to 
begin “with, and the requisite moisture must be maintained by syringing the 
trees. Give air always through the day during sunshine. The May Duke and 
Frogmore Early Bigarreau are the best for early work. 
Strawberries in Pots: Some of the early varieties, such as Keens' Seedling , 
Black Prince , and La Grosse Sucree , may be placed in the forcing-house toward 
the end of the month; no water should be given them for a time, except the soil 
is very dry. 
Hardy Fruits: The heavy rains of last month have probably prevented 
many from getting forward with planting, root-pruning, &c., as advised last 
month ; if, therefore, the weather proves favourable, these works should be pro¬ 
ceeded with at once, before severe frost sets in. Proceed with the pruning, 
nailing, &c., of all wall-trees at all times when the weather is favourable, be¬ 
ginning with Pears , Plums , and Cherries. See previous directions in regard to 
cleansing the trees from scale and moss. All small fruit-trees may now be 
pruned, with the exception of Gooseberries , and the first opportunity should be 
embraced of wheeling manure on to the quarters, in readiness to be forked-in 
about the trees when the weather is open. Trench ground for new plantations, 
as well as for planting Strawberries in the spring. Protect' Figs with mats or 
fern ; or if the trees are fan-trained, unnail them, and bring the branches to the 
bottom of the wall, and cover with stable-litter. Pay attention to the Fruit- 
store, and see that no decayed or spotty fruit remain in the room. No air need 
be admitted after this time, except the store is damp ; if so, air may be given at 
times in dry weather. — J. Powell, Frogmore. 
VEGETABLES. 
Very severe weather, if it comes at all, generally visits us during the month of 
December; it will be well, therefore, to make every preparation for it, as however 
difficult it may be to prognosticate aright, there seems to be a very general 
opinion that a severe winter is at hand. During a mild period, therefore, place a 
little additional soil up to and around the leaves of Celery, this not alone to make 
up for the slight settling-down of the soil, after so much rain-fall, but also as a 
security to such additional superficial, or leaf-growth, as the plants may have made 
since the operation was performed. Take up and store also Jerusalem Artichokes, 
Horse-radish , fyc.. for more immediate use. Cardoons may in like manner be 
stored away in sand, and all the necessary means undertaken to insure a 
supply of Lettuces and Endive. Cut and store such late Broccoli as may have 
hearted. Cover over plants of Cauliflowers , where the necessary means exist; and if 
snow is anticipated, place some kind of protection over Parsley , to guarantee a 
supply. This last and Mint , Tarragon , Chervil , and Fennel may also be boxed, 
or potted up and placed in warmth, in readiness for the early demands. 
Hot-beds should be made up during the latter part of the month, whereon 
to plant Potatos for the earliest supply, and to sow Carrots (Short Horn) upon 
for a like purpose ; goodly-sized beds should be made to insure that a goodly 
bulk of heat be engendered and retained ; and this heat must be allowed to 
moderate itself down somewhat permanently before the intended crops are planted 
or sown, as neither crop requires a great heat, though a moderate and constant 
