JANUABYo 155 



or shifting is required in winter, avoid giving more 

 water than is necessary, as doing so would cause a 

 chilling evaporation which would be injurious to the 

 plant, and water as much as needed before shifting, 

 not after. 



To ascertain if the mould is of the right degree of 

 moisture for potting, squeeze up a ball of it in the hand, 

 and if it just holds together slightly it will do ; if it 

 forms a lump which can be laid down without its falling 

 to pieces it is too wet. 



In potting always place crocks at the bottom of the 

 pot one inch docp or more, and generally a little fibry 

 loam, moss, or rooty peat over them, then a little earth 

 and the plant, and afterwards fill up. Be careful to use 

 for each plant the kind of earth best suited to it. 



The foliage of plants in the house should be kept 

 clean, as well as the or.tsides of the pots and the saucers. 

 The best way to clean the leaves is to wash them very 

 gently and carefully with a soft sponge, and water of a 

 temperature of 65 or 70. With small plants, which 

 have small foliage, put a paper tight down over the 

 mould, hold it firm with the hand, turn the pot upside 

 down, and give the plant a gentle washing in a pan of 

 tepid water. Large plants, with minute foliage, must be 

 syringed. 



Study the requirements of the flowers which are to be 

 specialities, and make the hot-beds which will be wanted. 

 Above all things avoid coddling favourite plants, until 

 really severe weather renders it necessary to shut out 

 frost and give protection. 



These hints, given for January, will many of them 

 come into play during all the spring months, especially 

 those relating to doing indoor work in bad weather, and 

 earth stirring and other outdoor work whenever there 

 is neither frost nor wet. Planting, transplanting, potting, 

 and re-potting too, must be done whenever the weather 

 and other circumstances render it most advisable all 

 through the spring. 



SUMMARY. Set tool-house, tools, and all other garden 

 appliances thoroughly to rights. Look over bulbs, <fec. 



