FEBRUARY. 



3 



and the various Ghent varieties. These, with 

 Spiraeas, including Spiraea astilboides, S. japonica, 

 S. confusa, and S. Thunbergii, Lilacs, Philadelphus, 

 Deutzias, Rhododendrons, and Roses, should be 

 potted up, and introduced in batches as they are 

 required. Tuberoses will also have arrived by 

 this time, and a batch of them ought to be started 

 in small pots, potting them on into those of larger 

 size as soon as they show their flower-spikes. 

 Batches of Lilium Harrisii, Hyacinths, Tulips, 

 Lily of the Valley, Polygonatum, Narcissus, 

 Gladiolus (The Bride), and other bulbs ought 

 also to be brought forward in gentle heat, and re- 

 moved, just as the flowers begin to expand, into 

 a cooler and more airy structure. This is done 

 in order that their flowers may be of greater 

 substance, and therefore better able to endure 

 the lower temperature to which they will be 

 subjected. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — In cold, 

 frosty weather much care mast be exercised to 

 keep the occupants of these places in good health, 

 particularly if they include, as is usually the 

 case, a varied collection of plants. Cape Heaths 

 do not thrive under much artificial heat, while 

 some of the soft-wooded plants, such as Pelar- 

 goniums, ought not to be in a lower tempera- 

 ture than 45° Fahr. Where these plants have 

 to occupy the same houses as those derived from 

 Australia they should be placed at the warmest 

 end of the building, in such positions that 

 they may be placed near the glass. Watering 

 must be done cautiously, especially if the ther- 

 mometer should show a lower degree than that 

 mentioned. Heaths, and other hard-wooded 

 plants of similar habit, should have all the air 

 possible when the weather is propitious, for a 

 close atmosphere conduces to the formation of 

 mildew. 



The conservatory must be kept free from all 

 dead or decaying foliage or flowers, and no more 

 water should be used than is necessary to keep 

 the plants in a state of health, for the less mois- 

 ture there is in the house the better and fresher 

 will the flowers keep. Superfluous moisture 

 may be expelled by keeping up a sufficient 

 heat. It is always best to ventilate in the early 

 part of the day, closing the lights early, so as to 

 aid in maintaining the temperature during the 

 night. 



Pits and Frames. 



Under this heading must be included both 

 hot and cold pits, wooden frames, and boxes for 

 placing in hot-beds. The former are most use- 

 ful for protecting plants which are required for 



the flower-garden during summer. The gentle 

 heat generated by the hot-water pipes will be suf- 

 ficient to keep the frost away from such plants as 

 Pelargoniums, Ageratums, Lobelias, and other 

 half-hardy kinds required for the aforesaid pur- 

 pose. They are also well adapted for propa- 

 gating most of such plants. Unheated pits are 

 serviceable for growing Violets, and for winter- 

 ing many plants which are too sensitive to cold 

 to withstand the rigour of an English winter, as, 

 for example, Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Stocks, and 

 similar plants. Frames are also exceedingly 

 useful, as they may be moved from place to place 

 and put over beds of various plants, either to 

 bring them forward, or as a protection from cold. 

 They are also much in demand during spring 

 for "hardening off" numerous plants before their 

 exposure to the open air. Cuttings of Chrysan- 

 themums may be inserted in them, and if there 

 be no room in the heated pits, pots of Sweet 

 Peas may be forwarded in them for planting 

 out later on. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



Ii the weather be frosty wheel manure on to 

 all vacant ground, to be dug in as soon as con- 

 ditions are favourable. Clear up any weeds 

 and other rubbish which may have accumulated 

 during boisterous weather. When atmospheric 

 conditions permit, prune and nail deciduous 

 climbers and other shrubs. Push forward any 

 ground work that can be done before tasks of 

 a more urgent character reveal themselves. 

 Should there be very severe frost it may be 

 necessary to protect some of the more tender 

 plants, such as Magnolia grandiflora, Euonymus. 

 Tea Roses, Escallonias, Ceanothus, &c. Nothing 

 is more suited to this end than bracken. Ground 

 around the roots of plants covered with decaying 

 leaves will be hindered from becoming frozen. 

 Occasionally deciduous trees and shrubs may 

 be planted, and many hardy plants may be 

 divided and replanted. 



FEBEUARY. 



Plant-houses. 



Orchid Houses. — Many Odontoglossums 

 of the crispum type will now be showing their 

 flower-spikes, and these should be carefully in- 

 spected every day for slugs and snails, which 

 are particularly fond of them. If the past 

 month has been severe, rendering much fire- 

 heat necessary, thrips will most probably have 



