In the Garden In criticism of a controversy on the
respective merits of planting or transplanting in autumn or spring a nurseryman who bears a name famous in horticulture sends me these words of wisdom: "The facts are that, except on heavy and sticky soils, in exposed and bleak situa- tions and for a few exceptional plants, planting can take place in all open weather throughout the winter, both before and after hard frost. To a hardy subject frost has no terrors, provided the bare roots are not exposed to it. To show how fallacious the set time is, the ground in many parts was so dry this autumn that at the end of November it could hardly be broken with a pick-axe at a depth of five inches, whereas now we are having a mild spell that is ideal for planting." Of the general truth of this there is no doubt ; but some evergreens are perhaps an exception. At any rate John Evelyn thought so in regard to hollies.
W. BEACH THOMAS.
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