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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841. Excerpt:... CHAPTER XII. CALENDAB OF OPERATIONS. January. January may be called the digging month, as almost the only gardening operation that can be performed in it is digging, or rather trenching the ground; and even this cannot be done unless the weather be open and the ground free from frost. Nothing can be imagined more desolate than the appearance of the flower garden in this month. Perhaps the Christmas rose may be in flower, and a few lingering blossoms may remain on the Pyrus or Cydonia japonica; but this is generally all, except a few red berries that the birds may have left on the holly or the pyracantha. January, however, is an excellent month for the destruction of snails and insects. The snails will be found in their winter quarters, sticking to the trunk of some ivy-clad tree, or hidden beneath the coping of some wall. They are quite in a torpid state, and appear dead, but might soon be revived, by bringing them into a warm room, and sprinkling them with water. Of course, however, if they are to be destroyed, it should be done without rousing them from their stupor. The eggs of insects should also be sought for and destroyed. Those of the lackey moth will be found on twigs, fixed firmly round them like bracelets of small beads. These should be burnt, as they are too hard to be crushed. The eggs of the vapourer moth will be found on the outside of the cocoon, looking like a bag of spider's eggs. A very small scale-like insect will also sometimes be found on the branches of the rose-trees, which should be carefully removed. Indeed, as a precautionary measure, it is well to brush the branches of all the rose-trees in this month with soft soap and water, to destroy any eggs that may be adhering to them. Sometimes trees and shrubs are planted in January, if...