FEBRUARY. 



of the tree Carnation will be found useful. Azaleas and Camellias, 

 when opening their flowers, will be benefited by liberal waterings of 

 manure water. 



Dahlias. — This is the best time for starting the roots generally ; a 

 good number can be made from them if put to work now, without the 

 plants being too early : INIarch struck plants, however, will be in ample 

 time. In striking the cuttings, dung beds are the best ; but avoid an 

 excess of moisture. Seed should not be sown till next month. 



Fuchsias. — Commence the growth of old plants by shaking them out 

 of the old soil ; and after repotting them in a size less pot, using a good 

 rich compost, place them in a gentle heat, drawing the syringe over 

 them every afternoon. Young autumn struck plants that have been 

 kept growing all the winter should be repotted, and grown on for 

 specimens also. Cuttings put in now will make fine plants to succeed 

 them. 



Ericas. — If possible abstain from making hea\^ fires to exclude frost ; 

 water in the early part of the day, and give a more liberal supply to 

 those soft wooded varieties that grow freely. Admit air at all liavour- 

 able occasions, and apply sulphar on the slightest appearance of mildew. 



Flower Garden. — Cleanhness should be attended to in this depart- 

 ment, and tender plants and shrubs should have sufficient protection 

 against severe winds and frosty weather. Anemones and Ranunculuses 

 may be planted in very rich clean soil. In very favourable weather, 

 plantations of deciduous and evergreen shrubs may be proceeded with. 

 Prepare compost for flower beds. 



Fruit Forcing. — If the first Vines are sufficiently advanced as to 

 admit of being tied down, they should be stopped at a desirable 

 distance from the fruit ; and as the bunches fully develope themselves, 

 one only should be left upon the shoots until they show further indi- 

 cations of size, &c. Maintain a very steady temperature, not under 

 65° of fire heat by day, with an increase of 10° or 12° in sunshine. 

 Admit air very cautiously, and close early. See that the heat of the 

 outside border does not by the severity of the weather decline. A 

 check in temperature at this stage would be very injurious. Bring on 

 later houses as required. 



Fruit, hardy. — Proceed with pruning and training of all hardy fruit 

 trees. Have in readiness a sufficient quantity of netting or other ma- 

 terial to protect the blossom of wall trees. If Beech or Fir boughs are 

 placed over Apricots and Peaches, it prevents the too early expansion of 

 the blossom, making the chance of a crop more secure. All kinds of 

 fruit trees may at this time be removed, doing so only when the soil is 

 dry. Give a top dressing with well-decayed manure to Strawberry 

 beds. Prune and train all small fruits, and have all the prunings 

 removed and the ground forked up. 



Greenhouse. — Do not give much fire heat. Admit air freely in fine 

 weather, closing early to secure as much sun heat as possible. Tie 

 out the shoots of climbers. Keep the pots and surface soil very clean, 

 and give a sufficiency of water to such plants as begin to grow freely. 

 Keep down insects by fumigating, and frequently wash such plants as 

 are liabk to become dirty. 



