February.'] green-house. 189 



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. 

 Wacliendorfia has a beautiful large red tuberous root, and 

 requires a pot about sis or seven inches deep. 



OF HYACINTHS ANJ) OTHER BULBOUS ROOTS. 



All these roots must be carefully examined. In case 

 slugs or nails 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 extension 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 according 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 

 practice w^ith 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 



