necessary that they should go long journeys on foot, each man carrying a
heavy load of provisions and other stores; and he adds: "The absence of
sufficient light to cast a shadow has had very unfortunate results, as
several of the men have been badly bruised and sprained. When no shadow
is formed, and the light is feeble and blurred, there is the same
uncertainty about one's walk as if the deepest darkness prevailed. The
most careful observation fails to advise you as to whether the next step
is to lie on a level, up an incline, or over a precipice. A few bad
falls quite demoralise a man, and make him more than ever distrustful of
his eyesight."

* * * * *

There is not much to be done in the garden this month, but bulbs may
still be put in, though the flowers will not be so good as those planted
earlier. Hyacinths, narcissi, and tulips planted now ought to flower in
April.

If the weather is mild, the grass should be rolled occasionally; early
peas and beans may be planted in a dry place, and a little radish seed
sown in a warm corner, but they must be carefully covered if a sharp
frost comes.

Green hedges should be clipped, and shrubs needing it pruned. Now that
the leaves are off, the fruit trees may be more easily examined, and
dead branches, or those that rub against one another, removed.

If the weather is very cold, take care of delicate plants by spreading
cocoa-nut fibre or light manure over the beds, or by covering the plants
with matting.