February."] GREEN-HOUSE. 193 



Eiicomis, Ixia, Gladiolus, with several others. Keep them 

 in the shade until they begin to grow; then put them on 

 shelves near the light. Those that are growing must be kept 

 in front of the house, to prevent them being weak. Wachen- 

 dorfia has a beautiful large red tuberous root, and requires a 

 pot about six or seven inches deep. 



OF HYACINTHS AND OTHER BULBOUS ROOTS. 



All these roots must be carefully examined. In case slugs 

 or snails are preying upon the embryo of the flower, some of 

 those that are farthest advanced may be put for a few weeks 

 in the hot-house. It will greatly accelerate their flowering ; 

 but they must be brought out again before the florets expand, 

 and carefully tied up, leaving room for the increase and ex- 

 tension of the flower-stem. Give them plenty of water, and 

 if saucers can be placed under them to retain it, it will be of 

 advantage. Change the water every week on those that are 

 in glasses, and keep all the growing bulbs near the light. 

 Narcissus, Jonquils, &c., may be similarly treated 



FEBRUARY. 



THE directions given last month respecting the airing and 

 temperature of the house, may still be followed, differing only 

 in admitting air more freely as the season advances, and ac- 

 cording to the power the sun has on the glass, which now 

 begins to be considerable. 



If the weather is tolerably mild, air may be admitted in 

 time of sunshine, so as to keep the mercury as low as 50, 

 but be cautious in cold, cloudy, frosty weather. It is a prac- 

 tice with many in such weather to keep the shutters on the 

 house night and day for the space of a week, and sometimes 

 more, never entering it ; and, when the weather has induced 

 them to look in, they find that the frost and damp have made 

 many lifeless subjects ; whereas, had the house and plantfi 

 17 



