Round the Year in the Garden 



Planting Bulbs. If the early bulbs referred to last 

 month have not yet been planted they should be put in 

 the ground without delay ; otherwise the chances of 

 their blossoming well in early spring are remote. Early 

 planting is particularly essential with Snowdrop, Crocus, 

 Winter Aconite, Anemones, bulbous Iris, Triteleia, or Star 

 Flower of Spring, and others, to which fuller reference was 

 made last month. Most amateurs are inclined to put bulbs 

 too near the surface ; a good average covering of soil for 

 the smaller kinds is a depth of 2 inches. 



In the Greenhouse 



Pentstemon, Calceolaria and Viola Cuttings ought 

 to be taken during this month to provide plants for next 

 year's display. If only a few are required it is best to 

 insert them in shallow boxes of sandy soil placed in a 

 frame ; when a large number is wanted a shallow bed of 

 soil is made up in the frame, and the cuttings are dibbled 

 in, some 2 inches apart. The soil is surfaced with sand 

 before the cuttings are inserted, then, as the holes are 

 made, sand falls in, and forms a base upon which the 

 cuttings rest. The chief point of importance is to make 

 the cuttings firm at the base, which is done by pressing 

 the soil there with the dibber. The frame is kept closed 

 for two or three weeks to facilitate the production of 

 roots, but a little air must be admitted for half an hour 

 or so each morning to get rid of the moisture that accumu- 

 lates. If this precaution is not taken the cuttings are 

 liable to " damp off." When rooted they must be given 

 as much fresh air as the weather will allow. On fine, 

 mild days the frame light ought to be removed altogether ; 

 when the weather is wet and mild it should be raised by 

 means of a piece of wood. Unless the plants are kept 

 perfectly cool, they will not remain sturdy. During 

 severe frost it is advisable to cover the frame with a mat. 



Such is the orthodox treatment for these popular 



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