100 



CALENDAR AND INDEX. 



observed further, that it is not prudent to keep plants 

 in an extremely vigorous state until the season arrives, 

 when the natural air is soft and salubrious ; they can 

 then have a due proportion of heat, air, and moisture 

 at the same time. 



Perhaps the next important point to be attended to 

 at this time is, to see that the greenhouse, or room, in 

 which plants are intended to be preserved, is calculated 

 for the purpose. The room should be light and airy, 

 and yet so secure as to prevent the intrusion of external 

 cold air, or the departure of warm air in the night 

 season. 



A Fahrenheit thermometer is indispensable in a 

 greenhouse, or room, where plants are kept, and the 

 temperature should be always up as nearly as possible 

 to 40 degrees, in the absence of the sun. If the gar- 

 dener retires to rest in this variable climate, leaving 

 the mercury much below 40, he may expect to find 

 his plants frozen by the morning. 



At this season of the year especially, sitting-rooms or 

 parlours are heated in the daytime to full 20 degrees 

 higher than what is necessary for the preservation of 

 plants ; consequently, as the heat declines in the night 

 season, plants often get injured, unless a fire is kept up. 

 Air must be admitted to plants kept in this way at all 

 opportunities, and more water will be necessary for 

 such plants, than those kept in a greenhouse would 

 require. For the management of Bulbous roots, in 

 pots or glasses, the reader is referred to page 73. 



FEBRUARY. 



Having in the previous chapter discussed some im- 

 portant points relative to the general care of plants* 

 I now proceed to notice a few of those kinds that 

 require attention at this particular season : Camellias 

 or Japan Roses. These valuable plants are too often 

 injured by amateurs from misapplied care bestowed 

 upon them, so that their whole compensation and 



