FEBRUARY. 



31 



last six or eight weeks at this season of the year ; this, together with, their lively and pleasing 

 colour, and the facility with which the plants may he grown in small-sized pots, renders the 

 Limatodes rosea one of the most desirahle of plants for winter decorative uses, as we have 

 already intimated. It appears tha/t the plants have not generally been found very facile in 

 the development of their flowers, but this is owing to an error of treatment ; so that the 

 Limatodes must be regarded as having been condemned for faults not its own. It is the 

 habit of the plant, when the leaves ripen off, to push out its flower-scapes soon thereafter, 

 and the proper course is to keep watering on till the flowering is over. Instead of this, it 

 appears to have bi en the practice to withhold water, as is so commonly done when the 

 leaves have died off, and in this way the flower-scapes have been literally starved to death. 

 Messrs. Low have a flue lot of the rare Film Ferns, recently brought from Borneo by Mr. 

 H. Low, jun., which are, for the most parts, additions to our garden collections, and comprise 

 several new species ; among the more striking of which are the following : — Trichomanes 

 superbum, a fine, robust-growing species, with triangular, ovate, plain, broad-pinnated fronds, 

 having a broad and well-marked wing down to the very base of the stipes ; T. setigerum and 

 T. tricophyllum, two pretty Little species allied to T. Fluma, the former having the bristle- 

 like segments of the linear- lanceolate fronds connected by a membranaceous web, and the 

 latter having them distinct as in Pluma, but formed on a regularly pinnated plan, and lying in 

 one plane, not dichotomously parted with the segments imbricated ; T. saccatile, a triangular-ovate 

 species, with prettily undulated fronds, and apparently a free-growing plant; together with 

 some other species of this beautiful genus, several Zindsceas, and some other choice Ferns. — M. 



French Chasselas Grapes. — The first week in January I inspected a box of French 

 Chasselas Grapes, packed in one of those shallow boxes which we so frequently sec in Paris, 

 and even in Covent Garden Market. What surprised me was the perfectly fresh state of 

 the Grapes in question, which I should suppose must have been cut from the Vines for 

 at least six weeks, perhaps longer. Can any of your readers inform me how they are kept ? 

 as they were much fresher than my own Muscadines retarded under glass, though inferior 

 in flavour. — E. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Conservatory. 

 As the forcing-pit -will now furnish abundant 

 means for decoration, no specimens should remain 

 here after their flowers begin to die away. Fresh 

 flowers, healthy foliage, and tasteful arrangement are 

 points which must be always kept in mind. Indian 

 Azaleas should be introduced as soon as they come 

 into flower ; also Rhododendvons, Kalmias, and other 

 American plants ; also Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, 

 &c. ; also plenty of tree Violets, Mignonette, and 

 Lily of the Valley. When there are proper houses 

 for stove plants," they should be only sparingly in- 

 troduced here at this season, as it is difficult to do 

 justice to them. Indeed, there is little necessity for 

 it, as there are plenty of other plants suitable for the 

 purpose. Look carefully over the plants daily and 

 water only when necessary, but then give them suffi- 

 cient to go through the soil. The mildness of the 

 weather permitting a good deal of air to be given, 

 and but little fire heat being required, the permanent 

 plants will, in consequence, not yet be showing much 

 signs of active growth. Do not excite them by any 

 means, as the later they are in starting the stronger 

 and better will their growth be, See they do not 

 want for water. Give air when the weather permits. 

 Maintain a temperature of 45° to 50° by night, and 

 60° by day, with an increase of 12 9 or 14? by sun 

 heat. See that everything in and about the house is 

 scrupulously neat and clean. 



Greenhouses. 

 These plants ought to be in good condition now ; 

 the mild weather allowing plenty of air to be given, 

 and but little fire heat being required. Do not exceed 

 a night temperature of 40° in frosty weather. Attend 

 carefully to the watering daily. Give plenty of air 

 When the state of the weather permits; but guard 

 against cold draughts. Towards the end of the 

 month plants beginning to grow should be carefully 

 potted and tied out as wanted. They should then, 

 he kept rather close for a few days until they begin 



to start into the fresh soil. If not already done, get 

 plenty of loam, leaf soil, peat, sand, &c, ready for 

 potting. 



Stove. 



All plants starting into growth should be potted at 

 once. Remove part of the old soil from the balls, and 

 use a compost of turfy loam, peat, leaf soil, and silver 

 sand. See the pots are welL drained, give them a 

 steady bottom heat of about 75 9 , it is of more im- 

 portance than top heat to start them into vigorous 

 growth. Syringe daily, but do not give much water 

 until they begin to root and grow freely. Keep the 

 house rather close. Maintain a temperature of about 

 60° at night, and 75° in the day. allowing it to rise 

 10° by sun heat. Ventilate carefully. Pot a few 

 Achimenes for flowering early; also, a few Gesiieras. 

 Start some Gloxinias. 



Flower Garden. 

 Plant Roses ; but if we have a continuance of mild 

 weather, do not be in too great a hurry to prune 

 unless it be some of the hardier sorts. In open 

 weather proceed with alterations as fast as possible 

 in order to have everything complete before "bed- 

 ding-out" time. Look carefully over the stock of 

 bedding plants, and if you see you are likely to fall 

 short of anything, put them at once into a little 

 heat to get cuttings from them. Cuttings of Calceo- 

 larias, Verbenas, Lobelias, Petunias, Salvias, Agera- 

 tums, &c, put in any time this and next month will 

 make good plants before "bedding-out" time. 

 Pleasure Grounds. — Plant trees and shrubs in open 

 weather. Do not prune too soon, but wait until next 

 month. If severe frost should set in, see that choice 

 tender specimens are properly protected. Push 

 forward alterations and all work that can be pro- 

 ceeded with. 



Forcing. 



Fruit.— Pine Apples.— With the increase of ligh 

 and heat plants in fruit will require a rather moist 

 atmosphere and more water. Plants starting into 



