MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 385 



MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Although I have endeavored throughout the foregoing pages 

 to be particular in stating the season or date at which each gar- 

 dening operation should be done, still it may save time to the 

 novice, and be otherwise of advantage, to briefly suggest what 

 work should be done each month. 



JANUARY. 



Greenhouse and Flower Garden.— But little need now be 

 done in either. In the greenhouse care must be exercised with 

 the fires to protect against frost, as this is usually the coldest 

 month of the year ; it is also that in which there is the least 

 sunshine. But little ventilating need be done; but when it does 

 become necessary to do it, caution must be used. Be careful to 

 raise the ventilating sash only so high that the heated air from 

 the greenhouse will be able to drive back the outer air to such 

 an extent as not to chill the plants. For example, occasionally, 

 after a very cold night, where severe firing has been necessary 

 to keep up the required temperature, say to sixty degrees, it 

 happens that the sun comes out bright during the following 

 day, so that by noon, or before, the temperature may be at a 

 hundred degrees inside the greenhouse, though outside it may 

 be nearly at zero. In such case the raising of the sashes an 

 inch or two will rapidly lower the temperature of the green- 

 house, so that an hour or so of such ventilating would be all 

 that is required. If the greenhouse is heated by flue, or even by 

 hot water or steam, examine nightly, that no combustible 

 material is laid on tiie flue or thrown against the chimney of 

 the boiler. As little fresh air can be given, insects are to be 

 watched this month closely. By the use of fire heat a dry at- 

 mosphere will be created, in which the red spider luxuriates. 

 Nothing answers so well for its destruction as copiously syring- 

 ing the plants at night, and splashing the paths with water, as 

 it cannot exist to an injurious extent in a moist atmosphere. 

 The Aphis, or "green fly," must also be destroyed, or it will 

 soon cause great injury to the plants. Tobacco in almost any 

 form is death to it, and may be either used by burning the 



