24 
OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
water. No plant ought to be watered much before the proper season of development arrives ; 
for an abundance of water at this time would inevitably cause the shoots to begin growing, 
should the weather continue open. 
A third way of retaining torpidity is scrupulously to refrain from potting plants, however 
much they may seem to demand it. If re-potted now, they would be sure to continue their 
growth ; whereas, by keeping them in the old pots, they will be less liable to be acted upon by 
the genial weather. 
The young shoots of plants that are at all beginning to push forth, should likewise be stopped 
at once by pruning. If cut off with a sharp knife, almost down to the junction with the old 
wood, they will receive a powerful check. The same remark applies to those which are about 
prematurely to produce their flowers, unless for novelty it is desired to have them bloom thus 
early, instead of at the natural period. It should be borne in mind that two sets of blossom are 
not very likely to be obtained ; so that if an imperfect production be now allowed to expand, 
there will be little chance of having another and better one this year. 
It is scarcely necessary to say, that none of these observations can have any reference to 
plants which, from whatever reason, are now unavoidably in a growing state. Such are several of 
the Orchidacese, young or newly imported specimens of various stove or greenhouse plants, 
specimens which are being forced for their flowers, and others, which, from their rarity, are 
subjected to bottom-heat, in order to obtain shoots for propagation, or which have been recently 
multiplied by cuttings. The prudent cultivator will have as few of all these (save forced 
flowers) as possible. 
As the days become longer, and the sun gets a greater power, the forcing house, pit, or 
frame should be gradually rendered warmer, that the healthy progress of the plants may be 
accelerated, and the supply of them be increased with the opening spring. There are many 
pretty annuals which will bear forcing, and which have a most elegant appearance among the 
less graceful though showier things generally employed. Nemophila insignis is a good example 
in point. Suspended from the roof of a show-house containing forced plants, or placed on an 
elevated shelf, with its branches left carelessly to droop around the pot, it is a very pleasing and 
acceptable remembrancer of summer. 
On no pretence should forced shrubs or bulbs be discarded after they have been used for 
forcing. They ought to be placed in a spare house, pit, or frame, to mature themselves, that 
they may be similarly employed in the following season. It is a most unwise piece of extravagance 
and inconsiderateness to throw away such plants, or to cast them into some corner as if they 
were worthless. We have never yet seen them properly taken care of ; but, as we cannot here 
pursue the subject, we must revert to it at another period. 
Of out-door work, there are the tender shrubs, and other plants that need protection, to 
attend to, and to cover and uncover as the weather may range. It should be remembered that 
an error on the side of too much covering is calculated to prove almost as detrimental as any 
neglect of an opposite character. Every opportunity for exposing them should be strictly 
seized upon, and only extreme cold guarded against. It is not, however, frost alone that can do 
them harm ; driving winds are sometimes equally destructive, particularly to evergreens. But 
while shelter on all sides is essential in cases of frost, protection of that side alone from which 
the wind comes is requisite during cold blasts, if unaccompanied by frost. This distinction is 
of some consequence, because even partial exposure, if it can be safely afforded, is beneficial to i 
tender exotics in the winter. 
This is, moreover, the time for effecting all kinds of new ground-work ; as, being mostly frosty 
all sorts of wheeling can be done with greater ease and cleanliness. It is also a good period foi 
putting on manure, and for taking away timber that has been felled, or any sort of prunings. By 
arranging the performance of these things in frosty weather, the neatness and good keeping of both 
walks and roads are much promoted ; and the work is further accomplished with less labour, 
The pruning of shrubs and trees, and the digging of beds or borders, may be carried on now, 
where necessary ; but not during the occurrence of frost. Roses and other shrubs can be layered : : 
and where stakes are required for any woody plant, they should immediately be given. It is 
better to examine all that are thus supported at the present time, and also to renew the bast or 
twine with which they are fastened, if requisite. 
