274 
OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
a wise precaution to be very suspicious of any apparent necessity for administering water. Very 
little moisture, indeed, is absolutely needful under ordinary circumstances ; and an overabund- 
ance entails the most disastrous consequences. The modern practice of placing frames with a 
northerly aspect, is a great promoter of a quiescent state, in saving the plants from the rousing 
power of the sun in the early months of the year. 
In the greenhouse the same course should be diligently adhered to, and whenever it becomes 
indispensable to kindle a moderate fire, it should be borne in mind that any large amount of heat, 
beyond what is sufficient to keep out frost, is highly mischievous. Succulents may stand almost 
dry for the next six weeks, or two months ; and must be carefully guarded from water dropping 
from the roof. The paucity of flowers at this season renders it the more necessary, too, to be 
scrutinous in maintaining the most exact neatness. 
It will be impossible to repress every manifestation of growth in the Orchidaceous house, 
without some degree of injury : nevertheless, those as yet beginning to grow are rather the 
exception than the rule ; and it will, therefore, be advisable, wherever there is suitable conve- 
nience, to remove them to a somewhat warmer house, and in the absence of other ' receptacles, 
many may safely be removed to the forcing-pit. Several Oncidia, Coelogynes, and Dendrobia, as 
well as casual specimens of a few other genera, that were dried off early in autumn, will now 
have their flower-buds beginning to swell, and as these will be useful for the show-house, and 
drawing-room, it will be advisable to encourage them. The Vandeons section, also, will be bene- 
fited by a somewhat greater warmth ; and when there is only one compartment, they should have 
the benefit of the warmer end of the house. A temperature of 55*^ by night, and rising to 60° or 
65*^ during the day, is heat sufficient for the major part of Orchidacea. 
If the object of the cultivator be to increase his Orchidacese rather than to flower them, a 
considerable increase of warmth and humidity may be maintained with impunity ; but when 
flowers also are desired, the above practice will be the surest guide to their attainment. A vigi- 
lant eye must be kept over young growths to preserve them from damp and mouldiness, which 
are apt to destroy them at this season. 
In the stove several Gesneraceous plants will be exhibiting signs of renewed activity. Towards 
the middle of the month, these, as well as many other similar plants likely to flower soon, such 
as Amaryllidese, may be repotted and encouraged at once. Tropceolum tubers, which have 
begun to sprout, may also be potted and placed in a warm situation, observing to keep the soil 
rather dry for two or three weeks. 
If the creepers and climbers in the different plant structures have not already been pruned 
and trained within proper limits, the work ought to be forwarded at the earliest opportunity, in 
order to aff'ord all the light possible to the plants in the lower part of the house. A system 
of close pruning is of great advantage to most stove climbers ; it must, however, be regulated 
and restrained by a due observance to the gracefulness and beauty of the specimen, without 
which no amount of bloom will be pleasing. Before the plants are again attached to the rafters, it 
will be proper to wash the latter well with soft soap and warm water. This will materially 
augment the cleanly appearance of the house^ and will be influential in rooting out insects ; and, 
in a general way, may be performed during inclement weather, when very little can be done satis- 
factorily in the out- door department. 
Other operations, such as providing labels, stakes, pegs, trellises for climbing plants in 
summer, baskets for Orchidaceous plants, canvas screens, and various protecting contrivances, 
together with the attention demanded by nearly all tender plants to keep them clear of obnoxious 
insects, will afford ample employment when the weather is unfavourable for other work ; and 
providing these articles now will materially diminish the labours of the summer months. 
In the garden this is a proper time for inspecting the drains for conveying away surface water 
from the walks, &c., and constructing additional ones, wherever they appear needful. Other 
works adverted to last month, and not yet performed, should be hastened. 
