24 
OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
must be taken of them, and due attention given to the every day increasing number of plants 
bursting into flower without assistance. 
Out-door work is multitudinous at this season. Preparing old, or forming new, sites for 
flowers ; pruning a variety of things ; fixing climbers, trees trained against walls or fences, 
and the completion of planting shrubs and trees, is amongst the most prominent business. All 
planting should be finished without delay, if it is possible, and especially where the term 
includes the removal of large or considerable specimens. Never think the latter, when being 
removed, will suffer from kind treatment, or that tender dealing with them is labour thrown 
away. It is important to recollect this at all times. Towards the end of the month some half- 
hardy things may be put out. Climbers and other plants it is desirable to have in flower early, 
it is well to have in the open ground as soon as possible ; but it is only really safe to place them 
there under comparative shelter, or where the latter can be easily employed. In shrubbery 
borders, or among miscellaneous groups of shrubs, introduce a plant or two of the generally 
well-known species of Adam's Needle (Yucca gloriosa), or something of that description. Such 
things, if they do well, produce an interesting and highly exotic effect. When thinning-out masses 
of shrubs, give prominence and abundant freedom to goodly specimens, particularly evergreens, that 
they may improve in beauty as well as increase in size. A few well-formed shrubs or trees, 
although comparatively so clustered together that they are not separate, are a much more gratifying 
object, and appear of greater importance than an extensive group allowed to ramble and grow 
into each other, wilderness fashion. Begin to get walks and lawns into a good state by com- 
mencing to roll regularly and by keeping them clean. 
Pinks, Pansies, and similar things, standing over from last autumn in pots, should be planted 
out ; and Pinks as well as Carnations may be put into pots in which they are intended to flower. 
The foliage of choice Tulips must be protected from cutting winds and sharp frosts, and Auriculas 
have a due amount of attention ; they also must be protected from hurtful influences ; but avoid 
exciting them. 
