GARDENING CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY. 
07 
Tarragon. — Plant in rows fifteen inches 
apart, and six inches in the row ; it is in- 
creased by division, and can be grown on 
common soil. 
Thyme. — A small sowing may be made on 
a warm sandy border, or (if wanted early,) in 
a slight heat ; it is easily- increased by slips or 
layers in March ; the old roots require to be 
often transplanted. 
Turnips are apt to run to seed if sown 
early, and exposed to frost ; therefore sow 
a few in a very gentle heat, under glass, and 
give air freely. 
THE FRUIT GARDEN. 
General Directions. — Keep the hoe active 
in dry weather. Finish all pruning, nailing, 
and planting ; fork up the soil where it has 
been trampled down during the operations of 
nailing and pruning. Have all the protect- 
ing materials in readiness. Prepare for graft- 
ing, and preserve grafts of the approved sorts 
by thrusting them half way into the ground 
in a shaded place ; or they will keep well in 
a cellar by being thrust into a potato, or 
among sand. Attend to airing the fruit-room, 
and wiping and cleaning the fruit. 
Almonds — if fruit is expected — will require 
to be protected when in blossom ; they ai e 
often and deservedly kept for ornament only. 
Apples. — Finish the pruning and nailing by 
the end of the month ; stake and mulch trees 
lately transplanted, and water them if dry 
weather prevails. 
Apricots should now be finished, and as the 
blossom buds are observed to swell, it is a good 
time to disblossom, taking away all the weak- 
est and badly placed ; protect before the 
blossoms open; a net doubled and hung before 
the trees is of service in keeping the blossom 
later, as well as in preserving it ; keep the 
flowers and wall quite dry; a coping board, to 
project ten inches or so, is of the utmost ser- 
vice at this season. 
Cherries. — Have the early blossoms pro- 
tected, and thin them where very thick. 
Currants. — Finish early the making of 
plantations, and all pruning. Thin (not cut 
back) the branches of black currant bushes. 
Filberts. — Hoe ; and remove any suckers 
which may be shewing themselves. 
Figs. — Remove a portion of the covering, 
if the weather permits, at the end of the 
month. 
Gooseberries. — Mulch those which have 
been transplanted, with such ' material as 
rotten leaves ; have all thoroughly hoed, but 
do not apply the rake except there be 
rubbish to remove. 
Grafting. — Get the grafting clay and other 
appliances in readiness for this operation, 
which must be done while the buds are dor- 
mant. 
Nectarines. — Have these pruned and nailed 
early : protect by awning or netting, and in 
very severe weather apply heat by the wall 
flues. 
Peaches. — Prune and nail up immediately; 
thin the blossoms, taking off all that which is 
weak and badly placed : protect them, and if 
the coping is not broad enough a temporary 
board may be put up for a month or so, the 
better to resist cold. 
Pears. — Plant, prune, and nail ; keep the 
standards thin and open in the heart ; take 
away all the spare weak blossom and wood ; 
protect the blossom in severe weather. 
Plums. — Complete pruning and nailing.; a 
slight protection when in blossom is neces- 
sary. 
Haspberries. — Those canes which were left 
long in the autumn pruning, should now be 
cut close to the stakes ; dig and manure 
finally for the season. 
Vines. — Can still be planted out ; finish the 
pruning and nailing as early as possible. 
THE FORCING GARDEN. 
General Directions. — Although more air 
will be required than in January, yet equal 
care is requisite to avoid currents, and sudden 
transitions : effect this by opening and shutting 
the ventilators gradually, and place gauze or 
canvass over these openings, particularly at 
the front sashes, to soften, by breaking, the 
rush of air. Always, if possible, use soft or 
rain water, and have it when applied of the 
same temperature as the house. If dull 
weather should predominate, give a little fire 
heat during the day, and air at the same time : 
make the most of the influence of sun heat, by 
shutting up early in the afternoon without re- 
ference to the hour of the day. Keep a steady 
heat a little before, and after, and also while 
the plants are in blossom. Maintain a con- 
genial atmosphere, by keeping every part 
w r atered, excepting when in bloom : avoid 
steaming ; choose rather to follow nature, 
closer. Economize the fuel, and the energies of 
the plants at the same time, by covering at 
night with mats, as far as practicable. 
Asparagus. — Temperature, 60 degrees by 
day ; 50 degrees by night. Admit air more 
freely, by tilting the sashes at the back ; renew 
the linings. Prepare another succession bed, 
the last for the season : the exhausted roots 
are worthless. 
Cherries. — Temperature 50 to 60 degrees by 
day ; 45 degrees by night. Take advantage 
of sun heat, and close early: use fire heat 
during the day, in dull weather ; give a good 
syringing after the fruit is set ; disbud early 
and gradually. 
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