THE HOME FLORIST.'' ' ; t 



THE FLORICULTURAL OPERATIONS OF THE 

 YEAR, ARRANGED BY WEEKS. 



The successful cultivation of plants and flowers depends largely on the performance of 

 all operations connected therewith, at certain suitable times, and some kind of a reminder of 

 the various ones, as they should occur, is serviceable to cultivators, especially to amateurs and 

 others who devote only a small portion of time to floriculture. The following is an arrangement 

 of the operations and work of the florist, during the year, into fifty-two parts, which are 

 respectively adapted to the fifty-two weeks of a year. It is most perfect in its application, 

 to latitudes between 42 and 43 (Buffalo, N. Y.), and persons living north and south should 

 calculate upon the difference in the length, earliness and lateness of the season, between their 

 own latitude and the above, in making use of the arrangement. 



In dividing a year into fifty-two weekly parts, each part or week of the year, it is plain, will 

 begin on the same day that the first week; or January I, commences on; thus, if January I falls 

 on Wednesday, so will January 8, January 15, and all the dates given below, the same being 

 also true when the year begins with any other day of the week. The only exception to this is 

 after Feb. 29, during a leap-year, and here the difference (one day) is so slight as to be of 

 little consequence. 



The matter under each weekly head is designed for the week commencing at the date given. 

 Although nearly all the operations named may with safety be performed either at a time preced- 

 ing or following the week under which they appear, those printed in italics are of general interest 

 at the season in which they are given, without particular reference to the week they may be under. 



The following abbreviations are made use of: W. for Window, Con. for Conservatory, 

 O. A. for Open Air, C. P. for Cold-Pit, W. F. for Winter Flowering. The small figures which 

 appear frequently (thus 24 ) refer to the pages where the subject is specially treated on. 



January i First Week. 



Read articles in preceding pages relative 

 to the required temperature, adaptability and 

 culture of each plant included in the collec- 

 tion. . . t JPay strict attention to airing when 

 the weather is mild, watering plants , 14 - 20 de- 

 stroying insects, etc., in the Con.** W.^ and 



C. / ) . 24 see Dec. 17 and Oct. 15 Give 



Callas, 43 hardy bulbs, in pots, etc., 21 (see list 

 Oct. 8) plenty of water .... Fuchsias 53 at rest 

 may be started .... Repair at once any broken 

 glass, 



January 8 Second Week. 



Give plants in W. extra protection, ^ during 

 severe nights. . . .Study and decide early what 

 improvements would be desirable about the 

 grounds; also to what extent you will engage 

 in, or increase upon floriculture, during the 

 coming year. .. .Ascertain the number of 

 plants, etc., required, and govern subsequent 

 propagations, the procuring of plants, seeds, 

 etc., accordingly. 



January 15 Third Week. 

 Continue to bring in kinds named under 

 Oct. 8, and Roses, etc., under Oct. 29. .. .Tie 

 up Hyacinths and other flowering plants .... 

 Keep Pelargoniums^ near the light . . . . Syringe 

 and wash plants, 87 etc. see Nov. 26. .. .See 



and other tubers, etc., 

 are not suffering from 



that dormant Canna 

 named under Oct. 8 

 any cause. 



January 22 Fourth Week. 

 Seeds under Feb. 19 may be sown, for early. 

 .... As bulbs pass out of flower, cut away the 

 stalks .... Keep the earth in pots mellow, etc. 

 see Dec. 17. 



January 29 Fifth Week. 

 Make hot-bed sash, etc. see Dec. IO.... 

 Study to improve plants, by pruning** . . . .En- 



courage W. F. Roses, etc. , by occasionally ap- 

 plying liquid manure. 88 



February 5 Sixth Week. 

 February is the month for propagating from 

 cuttings, 15 all kinds of common soft -wooded 

 plants in the W. and Con., for adornment, dur- 

 ing the coming year, and nearly everything will 

 strike readily, therefore, as fast as suitable 

 growth is afforded, make cuttings and progagate. 

 .... After Poinsettias 74 have flowered, give rest 

 .... Provide seedling Plants named under Aug. 

 20, Oct. 29, with abundance of pot room, air, 

 and light, and they will grow rapidly. 



February 12 Seventh Week. 

 Continue to bring in, for forcing, kinds 

 named under Oct. 8, and Roses, etc., under 

 Oct. 29. .. .Start Chrysanthemums 48 to propa- 

 gate from .... Provide an abundance of man- 

 ure for future use. 



February 19 Eighth Week. 

 Seeds of Pansy, 71 Verbena, 81 Salvia Splen- 

 dens, 77 Petunia, 72 Stock, 78 Sweet Alyssum, 38 

 Mimulus, 18 Maurandia, 18 Ice Plant, 68 Sensitive 

 Plant, 68 Delphinium, 60 Dianthus, 50 Antirrhin- 

 um, 38 may be sown to secure strong plants for 

 spring and summer flowering . . .As the season 

 advances plants will need more water, and should 

 have an increase of air; be ever on guard 

 against insects see Oct. 15, Dec. 17 .... Have 

 clean pots and good soil on hand for newly 

 started plants. 



February 26 Ninth Week. 

 See that implements, vases, etc., for sum- 

 mer use are in repair .... Give all cutting^ 

 close attention .... Perfect plans as alluded to 

 under Jan. 8 .... Water abundantly plants 

 being forced .... Give the Fernery* 1 daily atten- 

 tion see Dec. 24. . . . . See that climbers of all 

 kinds have suitable support. 



