24 
OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
enough to be admitted ; and all sickly elongations of the shoots should he stopped. It is of 
particular importance, too, that the decaying parts of every exotic be taken away as soon as they 
manifest themselves ; and if the specimen be a succulent, or the decomposition occur in the stem 
or branches, a little slacked lime should be applied to the wound, and the plant be kept as dry as 
possible. 
While frosts last, or may be apprehended, it will be injudicious to uncover, finally, the speci- 
mens that have been sheltered in the open ground. But the opportunity of a fine or mild day 
should be always seized for exposing them to light and air. Superfluous attention is, to all plants, 
as bad as neglect, and in no respect is this more clear than with reference to covered out-of-door 
shrubs. Close and constant protection, by opaque substances, does more harm to such species as 
are not positively tender, than leaving them wholly unassisted. Hence the necessity for frequently 
examining them, to see that, by having their branches crowded, or by being too long in darkness, 
they are not blanched ; and hence, too, the value of frequent judicious exposure. 
At this period, soil and all other requisites ought to be got in readiness for potting plants in 
the ensuing month, or as they may require it. No earth should be used while it is new, or just as 
it is taken from the spot whence it is procured, but placed for at least a year in the compost-yard, 
and there turned repeatedly, beneath the influence of the atmosphere. It is a mistake to keep 
soils dry and in sheds ; for rain rather enriches them than abstracts their virtues. 
Now, moreover, or towards the close of the month, the culturist should commence propagating 
and preparing plants to fill the flower-borders in summer. Where a stock of half-hardy perennials 
is not already provided, it is better to begin thus early to obtain it. A small hotbed frame will 
suffice to increase an immense quantity of plants ; and as the heat need not be great at the first, 
so it may usually be permitted to fall away gradually, without any renewal by external additions 
to its resources. Such a frame will serve to propagate Verbenas and other plants of that class, 
Chinese and similar kinds of Roses ; and when nearly exhausted, it will be useful for raising 
tender annuals, or for the multiplication of all sorts of greenhouse shrubs. 
Orchidacese, that are developing their flower-buds, ought not to be too much encouraged ; 
since, when they flower late, their blossoms are usually finer, and of a richer colour. Many 
species, especially those which bloom so soon in the spring, do not grow and flower at the same 
time ; and it is while gi-owing, not during the flowering period, that they need extra heat and 
moisture. In fact, coolness throughout the season at which their inflorescence is opened, retains 
them in bloom much longer. 
Gesneras and their allies, having rested through the winter, must be repotted forthwith, into 
a rich compost. Let their tubers be just buried in the soil, and, where practicable, give 
them a little bottom-heat by plunging their pots into a bed of bark or leaves. Increase their 
supply of water as they advance. 
Succulents can hardly be kept too dry at this time. Water them only when the soil is 
becoming dusty, and even then be very sparing in the application. It is astonishing how small a 
quantity of water they require in winter ; and those who retain them in a state of the greatest 
dryness (so long as they are not shrivelled materially), both as regards the soil and atmosphere, 
grow them to the highest perfection. ' Epiphyllum truncatum and its varieties, with others that 
are commonly more or less forced, are the sole exceptions to the rule. 
In the forcing-house, insects must be duly exterminated; and with some of the specimens, both 
the flowers and shoots will need thinning, to render those which are left more perfect. One 
essential point is to support, timely, all flower-stems that are inclined to be weakly. Forced plants 
that have ceased flowering should not be placed in the open air, without they are to be destroyed. 
A spare pit or frame should be devoted to their reception, that they may properly mature 
their shoots. 
Careful watering is indispensable to Camellias that are now about to bloom. Either too much 
or too little fluid, or great vicissitudes of temperature, occasions them to shed their flower-buds 
before expansion. 
Tender annuals can be sown in pots for the greenhouse ; and those of a hardier description 
may likewise be sown in pots, in a cold frame, for subsequent planting in the flower-borders. By 
the ordinary practice, there is a great display of annuals in the middle of the summer, but at no 
other period. Sowings made now and in May would ensure a more permanent effect. 
