FEB.] 



THE GARDENER. 



89 



of tubers, which shall be somewhat dry and flourj^ and 

 of the size of a hen's egg, plant sets of the Ash-leaved 

 variety in single pots, filled one-third part with light 

 earth,"in January. Place them in a hot-house or hot- 

 bed; earth them up as they appear, and about the 

 middle or end of February, transplant them with their 

 balls entire into a bed prepared as for asparagus — dis- 

 tance from plant to plant one foot each way. Give 

 water occasionally, and admit as much air as possible 

 at all times. Potatoes so managed will produce a 

 crop at the end of March or beginning of April.'* 

 Old hotbeds answer well for potatoes, which do not 

 bear forcing by a high temperature. 



FEBEUARY. 



Stove and G7*een1iouse.~'Be still attentive to re- 

 move dead leaves from the plants, to keep the earth 

 in the pots in a loose state, and to admit fresh air 

 when the weather permits. The potted plants that 

 are still in a dormant state and have been kept dry 

 during the winter, may towards the time of their re- 

 moval be plunged to a considerable depth in water of 

 about 60°, in order thoroughly to moisten the mould 

 around them, as a preparation for regular watering. 

 Syringing the leaves of other plants and sprinkling 

 water on the alleys are found useful in producing 

 atmospheric humidity in climates where the external 

 air is very cold and dry — moisture with heat being, as 

 already mentioned, the most favourable combinations 

 for promoting vegetation. 



The woody plants in the greenhouse that are in a 

 state of torpor, except when the mould is in a state of 

 dust and the leaves are withering, should not be yet 

 encouraged to grow, by heat or watering. Pelargo- 

 niums however will be now exhibiting symptoms of 

 life, and will require repotting with fresh mould, and in 

 some cases to be transferred to larger pots. In doing 



