OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY, 
23 
introduced to our collections. It is liberally clothed with a whitish down, (whence 
the name,) and the leaves are small, oval, and obtuse. Its pure white blossoms 
are produced in clusters at the extremities of the shoots, and their beauty is greatly 
heightened by the appearance of the two bright yellow anthers which are promi- 
nently protruded from each on short slender filaments, and recline on the surface 
of the corolla. Messrs. Rollison possess a plant of it now most pleasingly in 
flower, and it should be in the collection of every admirer of simple and pretty plants. 
Quekettia microscopica. Minute and almost imperceptible as are the 
flowers of this curious little orchidaceous plant, they are interesting, when exam- 
ined closely, even by the naked eye ; but, placed beneath a microscope of tolerable 
power, they are said to become extremely beautiful. It is without doubt the 
smallest orchidaceous plant yet discovered, and though it possesses no attractions 
for the vulgar eye, the lover of the tribe will discover in it much to admire, 
especially if aided by a powerful lens. It has small, cylindrical, stem -like leaves, 
which taper gradually towards the summit. The predominant colour of the flowers 
is yellow. A specimen of it is blooming with Messrs. Loddiges at this time. 
OPERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY. 
Our monthly calendar of operations necessary to be performed in the various 
departments of floriculture having already been conducted through five successive 
annual volumes, it may easily be imagined that the subject is now nearly ex- 
hausted. To avoid any useless and tedious reiteration, in the last volume of this 
Magazine we deemed it advisable to generalise the instructions as much as possible, 
neither detailing every process, nor enumerating each individual plant to which 
any particular treatment was required. In accordance with this practice of sub- 
mitting general principles rather than petty precepts, we propose commencing and 
continuing the present volume, and beg to refer the reader, who may be desirous 
of obtaining more particular information, to the directions contained in those 
previously issued. 
During this and the succeeding months, the time of the gardener is usually 
occupied in attention to the preservation of all kinds of tender plants. In plant 
structures, besides the expulsion or exclusion of frost and damp, a state of profound 
torpor must be maintained. Although, by abating the supply of moisture, this 
object may be partially attained, the due regulation of temperature is of much 
greater moment. As the suns beams are not now sufficiently intense to furnish 
heat commensurate with the excessive calorific radiation, the value of interposing 
any substances which may obstruct the latter will be fully recognised by the 
economical cultivator. A very trifling degree of artificial heat, accompanied by 
a close covering of garden mats over every part of the glazed surface, will be much 
more effectual in preserving plants from frost than the employment of active heat 
to twice the extent, without any covering to the glass. 
