24 
OPEEATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
Business amongst flowering plants is now rapidly on tlie increase ; every day brings to light 
new duties, and recals to mind others which may have been neglected, but which must .have 
immediate attention. The sun’s rays begin now to have considerable power ; a proportional 
increase of heat may be allowed in the stove and Orchid-house, and also a larger quantity of air 
may be admitted ; be careful, however, that no means are used to excite, for the present, those 
plants which are at rest. Orchid potting should now proceed as rapidly as possible. By the 
introduction of new soil and sphagnum, it is almost certain that many slugs will harbour in them, 
and pass unnoticed into the house ; to prevent their depredations, all the vigilance of an enthusiast 
must be employed : if any damage is perceived, immediately place traps in different parts of the 
house — slices of turnip, cabbage-leaves, apples, parsnips, or any other article that would be likely 
to entice them, and if these are carefully examined once or twice during the night, all the slugs 
will soon be collected. 
Acliimenes grandiflora, long^flora, multijiora, pedunculata, and all the other species and varieties, 
should now be brought from their winter-quarters and potted : give good drainage and plenty of 
pot-room, with the exception of A. multiflora, which is so impatient of moisture that it is always 
advisable to keep it rather cramped than otherwise ; sandy loam, peat, and one-half leaf-mould, is 
the proper soil. Gloxinia digitaliflora, Passmgkamii, ruhra, Fyfiana, and other kinds, should also 
have the same treatment. Gesneras must likewise have similar attention paid to them. 
Stove creepers, as the tuberous-rooted Ipomoeas, Ecliitis, Steplianotis, and Pergularias, should 
now all be re-potted, cut in, and started in a moderate bottom-heat ; be particularly careful not to 
over-water until the plants have got into a vigorous growth. Many persons follow the practice 
of plunging them ; perhaps it is far safer to set them on the top of a bed where there is a brisk 
moist bottom heat. 
In the greenhouse and conservatory, climbers, as Passiflora incarnata, Mooreana, cwrideo- 
racemosa, and alato-ccendea ; Zicliyas of various kinds, Kennedyas, and others, should now be 
trimmed and tied in, previous to their beginning to grow. Fuchsias of choice kinds, intended for 
specimen plants, should also be started into growth : as they grow, train a leading shoot up from 
each, so as to allow the side shoots to hang carelessly and form a pyramid of flowers. The China 
roses of various kinds are now beautifully in flower, and repay all the trouble of forcing : a little 
manure-water, made very weak, and administered two or three times a week, will give them vigour, 
and brightness in the colour of the flowers. Pelargoniums^ Calceolarias, and Cinerarias, that are 
now showing signs of flowering, should be potted without delay ; be particularly careful not to 
damage the roots, or the flowers will not expand with the same vigour. Camellias, that were 
brought into flower early, will some of them be now out of bloom : where this is the case, repot and 
remove them to an increased heat, for growth and the formation of their flowering buds. Tender 
annuals should also be sown ; amongst which do not forget Martynia fi'agrans^ Dysophylla stellata. 
Campanula sylvatica, Scypanthus elegans, Torenia scahra, Lobelia heterophylla major, Brachycoma 
iberidifolia, Eustoma exaltatum^ and Martynia lutea. 
In pits and frames, look well to the plants which are intended to occupy the flower-garden : 
keep them clean, and give as much exposure as the weather will admit of. Amongst other kinds, 
do not forget Plumbago LarpentcB, Phlox Leopoldiana^ Hydrolea spinosa, Stachys coccinea^ a,nd 
Scutellaria japonica. 
In the forcing pit. Lilacs, Roses, Hyacinths, and other plants whose flowers are expanding, 
remove to a cooler temperature, and replace with others. 
In the open air, proceed with everything as fast as the weather will permit : especially, make 
edgings to walks ; prepare the flower-borders for the purposes to which they are destined ; plant 
shrubs and trees for ornament ; prune Roses and other plants ; make and repair walks, and pot 
plants for forcing next winter, as Lilacs, Roses, &c. ; indeed at this time of the year both the eyes, 
the head, and the hands of every cultivator should be busily engaged, every fine day especially. 
