There are sections where covering the grapevine in winter is not an essential to retaining its complete vitality, and the maturing a good crop of fruit the ensuing season; but there are other sections, such as Northern New York, Massachusetts, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Ac, where merely taking the vine down from its trellis, laying it upon the ground, and covering with a little straw or other litter, will retain sufficient vitality in the vine to enable it to resist many severe changes in the spring season, and partially, if not wholly, the mildew and other diseases that would otherwise destroy the crop of fruit. Although January, many vines have thus far been neglected, and yet remain unprotected. We advise their laying down and covering, even at this late day.

Winter is especially the season of calm thought and deliberation by the husbandman; and among other thoughts come that of how, most cheaply and effectually, to increase the crops of the coming year. Manure in some form is acknowledged as one of the essentials to success; and the more concentrated its form, the less the labor of application and probable chances of success. Now, then, is the time to prepare waste matters, by gathering them in heaps, and mingling either lime, salt, plaster, bone meal, etc., etc. with them, looking to a result and their use on garden, lawn, or orchard in spring.