THE GARDENEES' AND NATURALISTS' CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY. 
Dung-beds. — ^Where the dung-bed has not heen pre- 
Tiously made, the manure should he immediately 
thrown together, and turned twice a-week until it has 
parted with its rankness. Proceed then to construct a 
hed three feet high, and sis inches wider on all sides 
than the frame, beating it firmly with the dung-fork. 
Place on the fi^mie, and press it closely down. Make a 
lining of two feet in thickness, and within six inches of 
the top of the bos. Insert a thermometer a foot below 
the surface of the dxmg, and examine it every morning 
until it stands between 70 and 90 degrees. The top 
heat should not exceed 65 degrees. Sow the seeds in 
light, rich, sifted sofl. Keep the pots near the glass, 
and tilt the lights a litfle at the back of the frame, in 
order to strengtherf the plants, as well as to permit any 
rank steam that may be present to pass oif freely. As 
soon as the seed leaves of the plants are fully developed, 
pot them off singly into 48 size pots, into a compost of 
leaf mould and Kght loam, in as rough a state as possible. 
"Water them with a flne-rosed watering-pot, and re- 
place them in the dung-frame. 
Melons. — Sow the early scarlet fleshed kinds in a 
strong loamy soil, and give them in other respects the 
same treatment as specified above for cucumber plants. 
Towards the latter end of the month sow green-fieshed, 
and Persian kinds for succession. W. T. 
FROT G-IEDEN.— OUT-DOOR DEPAET- 
MEXT. 
The planting of fruit-trees, where it has yet to he done, 
should be proceeded with at the earliest favourable oppor- 
timity. The Autumn is unquestionably the best time for 
planting, for we hold it as a rule, that when the soil is 
retentive of moisture to a degree injurious to Autumn 
planting, it is not in a fit state for fruit-trees, and 
therefore proper means should be used to make it so 
by draining, and adding to the depth of soil when neces- 
sary. In planting, care should be taken to keep the 
roots near the surface, particularly if it is a cold, re- 
tentive subsoil : the roots should be carefully spread, 
and some finely broken soil laid over them, so that 
every root is in contact with it ; there is then no neces- 
sity for treading the soil about them. It is an old and 
bad, but even now a common practice, to lift a tree up 
and down after covering the roots with soU, thereby not 
only displacing and breaking many of the small fibrous 
roots, but also causing shoulders in some of the larger 
ones, and from which ultimately spring np numerous 
suckers. There is another common practice which 
appears to be wrong in principle : it is that of digging 
a hole just large enough for the roots of the tree, and 
filling it up with highly enriched soil, or even, in some 
cases, with rotten dung ; in this the tree is planted, 
and it gives them what is commonly termed "a start," 
but it appears to be a most unnatural one. In the first 
place, they gain a plethoric luxuriance, which is by 
no means to be coveted in finiit-trees ; and in the nest 
place, the severe check they receive when the roots get 
beyond the influence of the highly emiched soil, not 
unfrequently produces disease, which they ever after feel 
the effects of. A portion of leaf mould, mised with 
the natiu-al soil, may be advantageously nsed for plant- 
ing the trees in. 
Apples and Pears, — Pruning should be proceeded 
with, unless during frosty weather, when it is highly 
improper to do so, be they yovmg or old trees. Those 
covered with moss or lichen, will be greatly benefited 
by having the stems and larger branches scraped, and 
afterwards dressed with lime and soot, mixed with 
soap suds to the consistency of thick paint, which may 
be laid on with a painter's brush : this will destroy 
the moss and lichen. To destroy it on the smaller 
branches, throw over the trees dry wood ashes, or a 
mixture of dry lime and soot, while they are wet with 
rain or dew. 
Apricots. — Prune and nail as the weather will per- 
mit, and if a covering is used to protect the blossom, 
it should be made available by the middle or latter end 
of the month, according to the aspect of the trees. Can- 
vas curtains, which can be removed at pleasure, are un- 
doubtedly the best protective material. 
Fig. — ^Wheu the trees have been protected by tying 
the branches in straw, or by other means, the protec- 
tion should, be removed by the middle or latter end of 
the month. Little winter pruning is necessary, if 
proper attention has been paid to summer pruning. 
(rrape Vines should have been pruned in October, 
but where this has been neglected, they should be 
pruned forthwith. 
Feach and Xectarine. — Prune the latter end of the 
month, and dress the trees by hand, with the following 
wash, before they are nailed : — Scotch snuS^ fresh 
slacked lime, and sulphur vivimi, of each one pound; 
mix well together, with urine and soap suds, to the con- 
sistency of paint, at the same time adding sufficient 
soot to make it dry, of a dark colour ; lay the mixture 
on the trees with a small brush : or the walls and trees 
may be washed with the garden engine, nsing hot 
water, to which is to be added sulphur and soot. 
Plum and Clierry. — Prune and nail : clear out with 
a knife all gum and canker wounds, and afterwards 
plaster the part with cow-dung and clay. 
Currants and Gooseberries. — If not yet pruned, let 
it be done immediately. The pruning of the Groose- 
ben-y is sometimes left until very late in the season, 
in consequence of the bullfinch being so destructive to 
the buds, but the gun is a remedy for that. "Whien the 
ground between the trees is dug, attend to what has 
heen recommended at page 11. 
Raspberry. — Fill up, prune, and tie : it is an im- 
provement in the old plan of tying to single stakes, to 
tie to an espalier rail. H. C. 0. 
KITCHEN GARDEN, AND VEGETABLE 
FORCXXG. 
The operations to be performed, in this department, 
must be influenced by circumstances; for, while the 
ground is frozen, no decided course can be taken. All 
business connected with the wheelbarrow should be for- 
warded as fast as possible, and reserve heaps of manure 
placed on spots where it can he made available for dress- 
ing those quarters that are soon to become vacant. 
Now is a good time to prepare Pea-sticks, and 
other sticks requisite for Kitchen Garden purposes. 
Fork the ground between Cabbage plants, rows of 
Spinach, Lettuces, and other crops, as soon as they 
commence growing. Dig up and trench all empty 
spaces as tiey occur ; roU walks ; plant and repair 
box edgings, and prosecute alterations -without delay, 
for the Spring is rapidly approaching, and will bring 
with it its own work. Sow Peas and early Long- 
pod Beans, in a sheltered situation; of the former, 
Isherwood' s Eailway,'Wamer' s Emperor, and Fairbeard' s 
Early Surprise, are among the best. Of the early va- 
rieties, the fii-st of these, however, (though veiy eai-ly,) 
is a light cropper. "Where not already done, it would be 
worth while to sow a lot of Peas, in forty-eight size pots, 
and forward them in vineries or frames. Beans, too, 
may be thrown in shallow hoses, and forwarded in the 
same manner, until they are fit for transplanting into 
rows. By this treatment they will be ready for use before 
those sown in the open ground. Transplant Potatoes 
into their frames, and forward ash-leaved Kidneys in 
boxes for planting out in borders. Cauliflower plants 
will doubtiess be scarce ; a sowing made now in pans or 
