22 FLORAL OrERATIONS FOR THE MONTH. 



Tulips should be very carefully kept from frost, the soil they are 

 in should not be even allowed to crust on the top if it can be avoided ; 

 if the earth be frozen down to the bulb the bloom will assuredly be 

 less perfect than if it were not frozen. 



Pinks and Heartsease in beds may be preserved from hard frost 

 by covering with litter of any kind rather loosely, but not enough to 

 deprive them of light and air. 



Hyacinths in beds or borders should be covered with litter, or occa- 

 sionally with mats. 



Ranunculuses and Anemones that were autumn planted should 

 also be protected from frost by similar means. 



IN THE FORCING FRAME. 



At the end of the month sow seeds of the tender annuals, as 

 Cockscomb, Amaranthus, &c., to have them fine specimens for the 

 greenhouse, &c., in summer; and ten-week Stocks, Russian and 

 Prussian Stocks, &c., to bloom early, should be sown in pots, or be 

 sown upon a slight hot-bed^; also some other of the'half tender kinds, 

 to prepare them strong for early summer blooming. "• 



The Jacobeje and Guernsey Amaryllises, with others of the genus, 

 should be repotted ; also to have a few early blooming plants of Achi- 

 menes. Gloxinias, Gesnerias, &c., they should be started, and when 

 beginning to push separate and pot them singly. 



Cuttmgs of Salvias, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, Geraniums, Anagallis, 

 Hemimeris, Lotus, Bouvardia, &c., desired for planting out in bor- 

 ders or beds during spring and summer, should be struck in moist 

 heat at the end of the month, in order to get the plants tolerably 

 strong by May, the season of planting out. Lobelias in pots should 

 now be pushed, in order to divide and pot singly next month. Dahlia 

 seed is best retained in the head as grown, spread singly where they 

 will not be liable to mould, and be kept in a dry situation ; the seeds 

 will thus be kept plump. Where great increase of plants is required 

 for next season, the roots should now be potted or partly plunged into 

 a little old tan in the stove, or a frame, to forward them for planting 

 out in May. As shoots push take them off when four or five inches 

 long, and strike them in moist heat. Seed sow at the end of month. 



Mignonette, to bloom early in boxes or pots, or to turn out in the 

 open borders, should now be sown. 



Protect the stems of tender plants with furze branches, dry leaves, 

 fern, &c. 



Sow in pans seeds of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Ericas, &c., that 

 plants will be fit to plant off in May. 



IN THE COLD FRAME AND GREENHOUSE. 



In this department, mind that if Camellias are not regularly 

 supplied with soft, not too cold, water, the buds will drop ; if too 

 much, frequently that will cause them to drop too. Never give heat 

 to Heaths as long as the frost can be kept out by coverings or other- 

 wise. A few degrees of frost will never injure Cape Heaths, whereas 

 fires are their ruin. Let the air blow upon them on all favourable 

 occasions. Nothing destroys the constitution of these plants so 



