OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
47 
nearly so bright as represented in the Botanical Magazine. It has, moreover, the fault of hanging 
down so as to conceal what brilliancy it has, and therefore can only be grown where there is room 
for it to bloom above the eye." It has been raised in the garden of the Horticultural Society 
from seeds collected in Quito by Mr. Hartweg. Bot. Beg., 1 1 . 
Veroni'ca salicifo v lia. A species introduced from New Zealand some years since. 
Dr. Lindley considers it the Willoiv-leaved Speedwell of Forster, who discovered it in that country. 
Dr. Lindley writes of it, " In all the accounts which we have of the Willow-leaved Speedwell, it is 
said to have perfectly entire leaves ; but in the garden plant they are serrated, or, at least, some 
are. We find, however, that wild specimens from Mr. Bidwill, Mr. Allan Cunningham, and 
others, in our herbarium, are absolutely identical with this plant, so far as cultivated and wild 
specimens are comparable, except that the leaves are in this instance occasionally serrated ; but 
as the serratures of the leaves are quite uncertain in the cultivated plant, we do not feel justified 
in attaching importance to that circumstance. Mr. A. Cunningham's specimens of V. salicifolia, 
which he had, doubtless, verified with all possible care, are, we think, not distinct, except in the 
serratures already mentioned." Bot. Reg., 5. 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
A casual observer might imagine that in a season like the present, — one so extraordinary for 
mildness, — that the business of the culturist is materially curtailed. There indeed is not that 
continual call for his vigilance and watchfulness that a severe and protracted winter renders 
necessary ; but it is an erroneous idea to suppose that the necessity for activity of mind or person 
is in any degree lessened ; it is rather increased to a very considerable extent. As, for example, 
in various departments, when all nature is secured in icy fetters, many operations are 
unavoidably obliged to be postponed, and others, which perhaps could be performed, can, without 
any injurious effects ensuing, be delayed. The very reverse of this, however, is the case this 
season ; promptitude and precision must be the distinguishing feature in the performance of 
every description of gardening operation. The unusual precocity of vegetation renders it 
imperatively necessary, particularly in the out-door department. If there, from whatever causes 
any kind of work remains to be done that ought to have been previously completed, no further 
delay must be permitted to attend its being finished. Beds or borders, which may be occupied 
with rare or valuable herbaceous or other plants, and the digging and otherwise attending to 
which has been postponed, to allow their various occupants to display the first signs of their 
recovery from a state of torpor, may be forthwith treated as circumstances may require. 
Numerous hardy plants, which from their being scarce, new, or rendered valuable from other 
causes, and have in consequence been preserved in pots and sheltered through the winter, may be 
planted in patches on borders, and in masses or any situation they are intended to occupy, providing 
the weather is not evidently unpropitious to their being so treated. Their being planted out thus 
early is not only very advantageous to their welfare, as regards an efficient production of fine and 
profuse bloom, but it is also markedly serviceable in affording room for the hardening off of more 
tender plants, under the shelter they have been enjoying. Many plants that are half-hardy only, 
may also be similarly treated from the commencement, and in the course of the present month 
with equal advantage in every respect. 
In fulfilling the directions just given, some latitude may be allowed, in case of a late display 
of bloom being required ; but in preference to deferring placing the plants out, it is proceeding on 
more scientific principles, is more beneficial in every way, and more effectually secures the end in 
view, to plant them out and remove the flower-buds till it is wished to have expanded flowers. 
Such a practice is evidently conducive to the welfare of the plant, from the increase of its vigour, 
and consequently its greater ability to produce a fine bloom at the time such is required ; while 
plants that are from necessity prevented being turned out at a proper time, and are still 
preserved in the pots in which they have been kept through the winter, are altogether perishing 
so far as their fructiferous usefulness is concerned. 
