PRACTICAL HINTS TO AMATEURS 



AS TO 



SEASONABLE WORK 



IN THE 



GREEN-HOUSE, FLOWER, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



r I THROUGHOUT this work we have been particular iu stating the season at which 

 -L the different gardening operations should be performed, still it may be of 

 service to many to suggest, briefly, in calendar form, the work that may be per- 

 formed during each month of the year. The dates given are mostly for the Eastern 

 and Middle States. The reader must vary operations, earlier if in the South, later if 

 in the North. 



JANUARY. 



GREEN-HOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS. As 

 this is usually the coldest month of the year, 

 and also that in which we have the least sun- 

 shine, particular attention must be paid to air- 

 ing, watering, syringing, etc. But little venti- 

 lating need be done; but when it does become 

 necessary to do it, caution must be used. Be 

 careful to raise the ventilating sash only so 

 high that the heated air from the green-house 

 will be able to drive back the outer air to such 

 an extent as not to chill the plants. For exam- 

 ple, occasionally, after a very cold night, where 

 severe firing has been necessary to keep up the 

 required temperature, say to sixty degrees, it 

 happens that the sun comes out bright during 

 the following day, so that by noon, or before, 

 the temperature may be at a hundred degrees 

 inside the green-house, though outside it may 

 be nearly at zero. In such case the raising of 

 the sashes an inch or two will rapidly lower the 

 temperature of the green-house, so that an hour 

 or so of such ventilating would be all that is 

 required. As little fresh air can be given, 

 insects are to be watched this month closely. 

 By the use of fire-heat a dry atmosphere will be 

 created, in which the Bed Spider luxuriates. 

 Nothing answers so well for its destruction as 

 copiously syringing the plants at night, and 

 splashing the paths with water, as it cannot 

 exist to an injurious extent in a moist atmos- 

 phere. The Aphis, or "green fly," must also 

 be destroyed, or it will soon cause great injury 

 to the plants. (See Insects.) The leaves of Win- 

 dow Plants should be sponged often to keep the 

 dust from filling up the pores of the leaves. 

 Tepid water should be used, with a little soap 

 or Fir-tree oil dissolved in it, and any plant, 

 small enough to handle, that shows signs of 

 red spider or other insect enemy, if dipped in 

 water heated to 140 degrees, will be instantly 

 cleansed without having received the least in- 

 jury from the bath. Plants should be occasion- 

 ally turned round to prevent their growing one- 

 sided. Hyacinths and other bulbs which were 

 placed in boxes or pots last autumn may now be 

 brought to the light, the best rooted and most 

 forward will give the earliest flowers. They 



should be well supplied with water, and these, 

 as well as all soft wooded, free-growing plants, 

 will be benefited by an occasional watering with 

 liquid manure. The plants to bloom this month 

 are Primulas, Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Bouvar- 

 dias, Roman Hyacinths, Early Tulips, Callas, 

 Azaleas, Camellias, Carnations and many others. 

 Such plants as Agaves, Echeverias and other 

 succulents should be kept dry and allowed all 

 the sun possible. 



FLOWER GARDEN. Though at this season of 

 the year there is but little chance to do much 

 in the flower garden, yet it is an excellent time 

 to make any necessary improvements or altera- 

 tions before the hurry of spring sets in. Such 

 work as grading or draining may be pushed 

 forward. Now is, also, a good time to remove 

 all stones, roots, etc., which, when practicable, 

 may be utilized in forming a rock-garden, or, if 

 piled up picturesquely in a heap and covered in 

 the spring with vines, creepers, etc., form often 

 quite an attractive adjunct to a garden or lawn 

 If not already done, all hardy Vines, Shrubs, 

 Evergreens, etc., will be much benefited by a 

 liberal top-dressing of well-rotted manure. 



FEUIT GARDEN. Pruning or mulching can be 

 done if the weather is such that the workman 

 can stand out. No plant is injured by being 

 pruned in cold weather, though the pruner may 

 be. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. In the Northern 

 States little can be done in this department 

 this month, except to prepare manure, bean- 

 poles and pea-sticks, and get sashes, tools, etc., 

 in working order ; but in sections of the coun- 

 try where there is but little or no frost, the 

 hardier kinds of seeds and plants may be sown 

 and planted, such as Asparagus, Cabbage, Cau- 

 liflower, Carrot, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, 

 Peas, Spinach, Turnip, etc. In any section 

 where these seeds can be sown in the open 

 ground, it is an indication that hot-beds may 

 be begun for the sowing of such tender vegeta- 

 bles as Tomatoes, Egg and Pepper Plants, etc., 

 though, unless in the extreme Southern States, 

 hot-beds had better not be started before the 

 first of February. 



