CHAPTER II 



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Hybrid Hellebores — Crocus — Snowdrop — Snowflake — 

 Early flowering shrubs. 



The month of February has a very doubtful character. 

 ' In February the sun enters Aquarius,' is the record 

 of the almanacks, and so Spenser describes 'cold 

 February ' sitting 



' In an old wagon, for he could not tide, 

 Drawne of two fishes for the season fitting, 

 Which through the flood before did softly glide, 

 And swim alway.' 



It was 'February fill-ditch,' and Don Pedro laughs 

 at Benedick for having ' such a February face, so full 

 of frost and storm and cloiidiness.' But it is not 

 always so ; and when we do get a mild February it is 

 a most enjoyable month, especially to the gardener. 



The flowers which I recorded last month are still 

 in full beauty, the cyclamen and the hellebores — not, 

 however, the true Christmas rose, which has passed 

 away, but many of the other species, and especially 



