274 
OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
Christmas is invariably considered the annual precursor of frost and other 
rigours to which our northern climate is accustomed, and seldom are these predic- 
tions unfounded. Now, therefore, the flues and furnaces of plant-houses should be 
tested, and held in readiness, (if not hitherto required,) that they may not be 
found deranged or ineffective, should a sudden change in the weather render their 
employment necessary. In the open ground, likewise, on account of the large 
quantities of rain which have fallen within the last three months, preparations 
should be made for sheltering every valuable plant in a case of emergency, as the 
saturated state of the soil will give increased effect to an attack of frost, and, we 
fear, if the winter should prove severe, will contribute greatly towards the destruc- 
tion of all kinds of vegetable productions. 
All exotic plants require, at this season, as much light as can possibly be 
dispensed to them, and as little water as will suffice to keep them alive. Orchi- 
dacese and other tropical kinds, need little further attention than that which is 
necessarily bestowed on the regulation of temperature, which should be kept, as 
far as practicable, uniformly low. The smaller and more tender sorts should 
occasionally be very attentively examined, lest, from the prevalence of moisture, 
they suddenly perish ; for, if the process of decay from this cause be once allowed 
to commence, it is difficult to check its progress, and the only effectual remedy 
is an immediate amputation of the part affected ; or, if this is impracticable, some 
slacked lime should be applied to the diseased part as soon as it is detected. 
Plants of a succulent nature are peculiarly liable to injury from this source, and 
the species of Stapelia especially so. As prevention is always preferable to repa- 
ration, a low temperature and dry atmosphere will be found unfailing antidotes 
to this most prevalent and destructive disease ; for, in no case where these have 
been properly attended to, has it ever been observed. 
In extreme frost, when, from accidental causes or an inefficient command of 
heat, great difficulty is experienced in counteracting its effects, or preserving 
plants from injury, it has been found useful to burn a number of lamps as near to 
the roof as consists with safety, the heat diffused from which has, in many cases, 
alone been sufficient to prevent the ingress of frost. To render this experiment 
effectual, it is necessary to cover up the front and sides of the house with mats, and 
leave only the roof exposed. Its success may be easily accounted for. It is well 
known that heated vapour invariably ascends ; so that by arranging its sources in the 
upper part of the house, a constant volume of it is maintained near the roof; and as 
frost can only enter through the latter medium, when all other inlets are secured, 
the heated air thus interposed between the roof and the plants effectually preserves 
the latter by excluding the former. Want of space prevents us from elaborating this 
subject ; we therefore merely suggest it, and shall revert to it on a future occasion. 
In the flower-garden, digging, planting, and pruning, may be continued in 
favourable weather, and every protection afforded to all plants requiring it. Fur- 
ther directions will be found in our last number, which are equally applicable to 
the present month. 
