FEBRUARY. 



595 



FEBRUARY. 



already, may be headed back this month, 

 tout they should not be left too long, as 

 the sap is already beginning to move 

 upwards. 



Pruning and Training. These neces- 

 sary operations should be carried out, and 

 the hardier kinds of trees should be finished 

 this month. It is necessary to see that the 

 trees are perfectly clean, and free from dirt 

 and canker, and that the walls, &c , be 

 clear of insect life. Trees that aie bark 

 bound, and in which the bark refuses to 

 expand with every fresh deposit of woody 

 fibre, must be relieved by dressing the bark 

 with linseed oil, and then drawing the 

 point of a sharp knife longitudinally down 

 the stem and through the bark of the part 

 affected. Care should be taken to undo 

 every ligature or shred that is too tight for 

 the branch it holds and is cutting into the 

 bark, or is likely to cut into it as the tree 

 grows. It is impossible to be too careful in 

 looking to old ties, shreds, and nails, in 

 order to obviate any damage that may 

 arise from neglect of injuries that have 

 arisen, or are likely to arise, from them. 



Pruning Roots. This should have been 

 done in October and November, and unless 

 the need be very urgent, it had best be left 

 till the end of the autumn again comes 

 round. Otherwise it may be done in open 

 weather, and when there is no immediate 

 fear of severe frost. 



Raspberries. These should be pruned 

 without delay, if not done before. Cut out 

 all the old canes, and thin out the new 

 to four or five ; shorten them one-third, 

 and, if necessary, support them with sticks, 

 rails, or by arching them together. If this 

 is done carefully, only tying two together, 

 it will answer better than by tying them to 

 stakes. 



Strawberries. If it is desirable to make 

 new plantations of strawberries at this time, 

 it may be done by taking up runners with 

 e trowel, and planting them 18 inches 



apart. It is easy to select plants that will 

 flower and fruit the same year by the 

 crowns, which, if plump and full, indicate 

 flower buds. After planting, mulch with 

 dung : they will bear much more freely, 

 and it is important to do this early. Old 

 plants should be cleaned and mulched. 



February. Glasshouses for 

 Fruit, &G., Work in. 



Fertilisation. Unless bees make their 

 appearance, the trees should often be gently 

 shaken when in flower, and the pollen dis- 

 tributed by a camel-hair pencil to insure the 

 fructification of the blossoms. 



Figs will bear a higher temperature than 

 peaches, and may be started at 50. The 

 terminal buds of the young shoot should be 

 removed to insure a good crop. Maintain 

 a moist atmosphere, and water copiously 

 when necessary. 



Peaches, Nectarines, &*c. In their early 

 stages these are very impatient of heat. 

 Begin with a temperature of 40, and 

 gradually rise to 50. This should not be 

 much exceeded until the fruit is set ; then, 

 by gradual ascent, from 5 to IO may be 

 added ; and this is the maximum of fire 

 heat for peaches until the ticklish period of 

 stoning is over. Syringe twice daily in 

 bright weather, except when the trees are 

 in flower. The borders should have a good 

 soaking, if dry, before forcing commences. 

 Give as much air as the weather will permit 

 at all times. 



Pines. From 65 to 70, should be the 

 minimum temperature during the month ; 

 the bottom heat may range from 5 to 10 

 higher. During dull weather a dry atmo- 

 sphere must be preserved. The plants 

 should be carefully examined previous to 

 watering, and this operation, whenever 

 necessary, performed so as to prevent the 

 water getting into the axils of the leave*. 

 Plants swelling their fruit should be placed 

 at the waimest end of the house, and thos* 



