292 ROOMS — CAMELLIAS. [February. 
FEBRUARY. 
At this season, the plants call for the most assiduous at- 
tention. If the stage has been made according to our de- 
scription in September, in very cold nights it should be 
drawn to the centre of the room, or at least withdrawn from 
the window, observing every night to close the window tight 
by shutters, or some substitute equally as good. And, if the 
temperature begins to fall below 40°, means should be 
adopted to prevent it from lowering, either by putting a fire 
in the room, or opening any adjoining apartment where fire 
is constantly kept. This latter method is the best, where it is 
practicable, and ought to be studied to be made so. 
Some very injudiciously, in extreme frosts, put into the 
room, where there is no chimney, among the plants, a fur- 
nace of charcoal, in order to heat the room. The effect is, 
that the foliage becomes dark brown and hardened like, and 
many of the plants die, the rest not recovering until 
summer. 
Watering may be attended to according to the directions 
of January, only observing that those that begin to grow 
will absorb a little more than those that are dormant. 
Roses, especially the daily, if kept in the house, will be- 
gin to show flower. Use means to kill the green-fly that 
may attack them. 
Hyacinths and other bulbs must have regular attendance 
in tying up, &c. Take care not to tie them too tightly, 
leaving sufficiency of space for the stem to expand. Give 
those in the glasses their necessary supplies, and keep 
them all near the light. Never keep bulbous roots, while 
growing, under the shade of any other plant. 
Camellias, with all their varied beauties, will, in this 
month, make a splendid show. Adhere to the directions 
given in the previous month, and so that new varieties may 
be obtained (see Green-house, February, under the head of 
Camellia), which directions are equally applicable here. 
When the flowers are full-blown, and kept in a temperature 
between 40° and 50°, they will be perfect for the space of 
four, five, and frequently six weeks, and a good selection of 
