JANUARY. 55 



continued up to the close of the year, and affording ample time to complete 

 every operation necessary for the protection or preservation of plants, or 

 fruits, January is a month of comparative leisure, unless where there are 

 extensive forcing houses connected with the garden, when it is as busy a 

 period as later in tlie year ; forcing, in its varied departments, requiring a 

 great deal of attention and continued care. But little can be done in the 

 open air ; so little, indeed, that no directions are necessary at this time. 



Grape Vines in'the earliest houses will now have advanced their shoots 

 two or three inches, and at this period of the year will require constant 

 attention to keep them in a vigorous growing state. The temperature 

 should be gradually increased as the shoots extend, and all sudden changes 

 should be avoided. Tie in the laterals when sufficiently advanced. Syr- 

 inge in all fine weather, until the buds are nearly ready to open, when it 

 should be discontinued. Vines in greenhouses should now be pruned, if 

 not already done, as they will begin to grow as early as February. Wash 

 with whale oil soap, to kill all insects. Vines in pots, now introduced into 

 the grapery or greenhouse, will produce an early and fine crop of fruit. 



Fig Trees in pots, now introduced into the early grapery, will bring for- 

 ward an early crop. 



Peach Trees in pots may be brought into the grapery in a cool place, 

 where they will soon commence growing, and ripen their fruit in June. 



Scions of trees may now be cut and placed in a cool cellar, preserved in 

 eaith, sand or moss. 



Root Grafting may be done now, when it is considered desirable to 

 raise trees in this way. The roots, as soon as grafted, should be set out 

 in boxes of earth, and placed away in a cool cellar. 



flower department. 



The mild weather we have already alluded to, has been favorable to the 

 growth and health of all plants, as they have not been subjected to the 

 great fire heat, unavoidable in severe frost. And now, just as the season 

 has arrived for commencing a new growth, they are in the best possible 

 condition for their future health, provided attention be given to potting, 

 watering, &c., in due season. We have on more than one occasion alluded 

 to the practice so common with many gardeners of potting at particular 

 periods, leaving everything till the time arrives, and then performing the 

 work by wholesale, that is, potting up the whole stock of any one plant, 

 whether only half or the whole need it. No greater error is committed in 

 the management of plants, and this practice should not be permitted. Our 

 rule is, to pot every plant, when it needs it, no matter what the season may 

 be, or the condition it may be in, provided it wants more room for its roots. 

 In this way everything is kept in good health, and the houses filled with 

 handsome specimens. 



There is plenty to do even at this inclement season of the year; and to 

 commence early is to come out safely in spring. By the middle of the 

 month hotbeds should be put in operation for forwarding seedlings and 

 young stock, and all kinds of propagation may be commenced at this sea- 



