94 Horticultural Operations for February. 



HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS 



[for FEBRUARY. 

 FRtriT DEPARTMENT. 



January has been one of the most severe winter months we have 

 had for many years. The early part was exceedingly dull, cloudy and 

 stormy, with quantities of snow, and this was not only augmented by 

 a heavy storm on the 18th, but the thermometer fell down to the low 

 point of 12° below zero on the 20th, and 10° below on the 21st, (the day 

 we write this.) It is this cold weather, of such long continuance, which 

 so injuriously affects indoor vegetation. The longer days, and great- 

 er amount of light, is sensibly felt by all plants, and they soon show 

 the activity of the sap, with the advent of the month. And now, with this 

 increased action of vegetation, begins the labors of the ambitious gardener. 

 No time should now be lost, and nothing should be neglected. With 

 March, outdoor operations commence, and, unless work is forwarded now, 

 many things will be likely to be overlooked. 



Grapes, in early forcing houses, will now be in flower, and will need 

 much attention. Increase the temperature slightly, and guard against damp. 

 If dull, rainy, or snowy weather should be of long duration, keep up slight 

 fires during the day, as well as night, as the condensation of heat is not so 

 great during the day as in the night. Water carefully, and no oftener 

 than is absolutely necessary, until the berries are all well set. Grapes in. 

 greenhouses will now begin to break, and will requiie attention. Syringe 

 daily, morning and evening, and damp the floors of the house in good 

 weather. Vines in pots, intended to fruit, may now be brought into the 

 greenhouse. 



Peaches and Figs, in pots, now introduced into the greenhouse, or 

 grapery, will ripen their fruit in June. 



Orchards may now be pruned; where there is a great number of trees, 

 it is necessary that pruning should be commenced in season. 



Scions of all kind of fruits may now be cut, and preserved in earth, in a 

 cool cellar. 



Grape, Raspberrv, Currant, and Strawberry seed, for the purpose 

 of raising new varieties, may now be planted in pots or boxes in the green- 

 house or in a hot bed. 



FLOWER department. 



The Greenhouse and Conservatory will now begin to assume a more gay 

 and cheerful aspect. The Camellias, Acacias, Lauristinuses, &c., will be in 

 their height of bloom, and, with the many other flowers now successively 

 opening, will make a fine display. By proper attention, and by an early 

 preparation of such plants as Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Stocks, Scarlet Ge- 

 raniums, Verbenas, &c., a succession of flowers may be kept up till June. 



The greatest evil to guard against, in our climate, is a high temperature. 



