40 Horticultural Memoranda for January. 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR JANUARY. 



But little can be done out this month, unless the weather is remarka- 

 bly mild. Up to the present time (Dec. 25th, 1837,) it has been cold, 

 with some snow, though but little remains upon the ground; there is 

 now some appearance of mild weather. Where it is desirable to have 

 early vegetables, hot-beds may be put into operation early in the month. 

 Proi)er directions for making these, and the forcing of cucumbers, will 

 be found detailed in vol. II. If there are frames containing plants, they 

 should be properly aired every fair day, and covered well at night. In- 

 doors' preparation may be made for the summer season, and much done 

 to facilitate the business of the planting season, by preparing the tal- 

 lies for marking plants, &,c. Stakes for tying up plants may be made 

 and [)ainted, and other operations done, which cannot be put off till the 

 spring or summer, without interfering with the labor of the garden. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



The only things that can be done in this department is the forcing of 

 grapes and other fruits, in the hot-house, the pruning of vines in the 

 green-house, if not done before, and the forcing of strawberries in hot- 

 beds. 



FLOWER, DEPARTMENT, 



In the green-house, the plants will need but little water; all dry leaves 

 should be picked from the plants, and the house should be fumigated, to 

 destroy lice, &c. 



Camellias are about the only plants that require considerable water 

 this month; as their flower-buds advance, they should be well supplied. 

 The seeds may now be sown. 



Amaryllises beginning to grow should be potted. 



Erythrinas that flower in August and September, and that have since 

 been at rest, should now be repotted and placed in a brisk heat, until 

 they have started well, when they may be put in a warm part of the 

 green-house, where they will bloom. 



Heaths should be watered carefully. 



Dahlias, for early flowering, may now be potted and plunged in a 

 moderate heat. 



Annuals, for early blooming, should have their seeds now sown in 

 hot-beds. 



Schizanthuses, and other annuals, in pots, should be shifted into a 

 larger size. 



VEGETABLE DEPARTMENT. 



Cucumber seeds should now be planted in a brisk hot-bed of one or 

 more lights, as the quantity is wanted. Make preparations, while the 

 seedlings are coming on, for the beds for ridging the plants into. 



Radish seeds should be sown. 



Lettuce seeds may be also sown. 



Asparagus may be now forced. Full directions will be found in vol. 

 Ill, pp. 364, 444. 



