The Year in the Crystal Garden 169 



plants that have been working hard through the 

 winter. This apphes especially to plants grown 

 for the holidays such as Poinsettias, Azaleas, etc. 

 Gradually reduce the amount of water and if 

 possible move to cooler quarters. When dor- 

 mant they may be stored under a bench. Place 

 on their sides if there is danger of water leaking 

 through from on top — until time to start into 

 growth again. 



Keep flowering plants well fed. Carnations, 

 Roses, Snapdragons, and other plants from which 

 you have been cutting heavily will need frequent 

 top dressings to maintain the size and quality of 

 flowers. See Chapter VII on /Fertilizers. 



Divide old plants and re-pot. Plants such as 

 Begonias, Daisies, Geraniums, and Ferns may be 

 divided now into several smaller plants, re-potted, 

 and started on the way to make fine new plants 

 by spring. 



February 



Go over the list of January activities and take 

 up any which have not been attended to. 



Dry off and rest holiday and mid-winter plants 

 such as Azaleas and the like, which have come 

 to the end of their flowering time. 



Start stock plants into active growth to fur- 

 nish the materials for cuttings later. 



Overhaul Ferns and other ornamental foliage 



