OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
Security from frost is the great thing commonly wanted in plant-houses at 
this period of the year ; and that end is best attained by avoiding everything 
which would lower the temperature of the air, and facilitate the abstraction of the 
plants* natural heat. Unnecessary moisture will be the first evil to guard 
against ; as, where it exists, either an injurious temperature will have to be main- 
tained, or the plants must suffer from cold. Every cultivator has (or ought to 
have) it in his power to regulate the dryness of his houses to any extent, by using 
very little water in them. Almost all plants being in a state of repose, actually 
require to be kept nearly dry : though, as positive repose is hardly known in the 
vegetable kingdom, water must not be entirely withheld, except from tuberous- 
rooted plants or bulbs, that have lost all their herbage, and some of those deci- 
duous shrubs which are not exposed to any atmospheric influence or excitement. 
Thus, Fuchsias, if put in a rather darkened place, where there is only temperature 
enough to expel frost, and where moisture cannot entirely escape from the soil, 
will not need watering for two months ; and plants of allied habits may be treated 
similarly. 
The mild weather of the last month has given a fine opportunity for keeping 
plants hardy, by opening the sashes of the houses or frames. It should, therefore, 
be a prime point in the management to keep them so. Frames, in which water is 
very scantily supplied, and which are not furnished with a heating apparatus, may 
be covered up thickly for a week or a fortnight together during severe frost. 
And where fire-heat can be put on, it is always prudent to apply an outer covering 
in addition, as well for safety as for economy, and the health of the plants. 
To make the show-house or conservatory gay during the earlier months of the 
year, fresh bulbs, shrubs, &c., should be put into the forcing-pit at least every 
fortnight, or, when they can be spared, every ten days. It is a worthy achieve- 
ment in floriculture to have the show-house well stocked with beautiful and 
fragrant flowers from Christmas to May, because this is the time when such things 
are most delightful on account of their comparative scarcity. It may be readily 
accomplished where a proper forcing-pit is possessed, and a sufficient command of 
heating materials. The great design of the flower-forcer should be to get flowers 
