32 
THE LADYS MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
FLORAL CALENDAR. 
JANUARY. 
The principal operations in the flower garden for January consist in 
protecting from frost; and nothing should be done that can in any way 
stimulate growth, except where plants are to be forced or brought forward 
in hotbeds. In the open garden, the winter is the season for rest; and 
this rest should be as complete as possible, that the plants may awake 
with greater vigour in spring. Hybrids between the splendid Nepaul 
tree Rhododendron and the common kinds, should be protected by wicker¬ 
work coverings like that shown at c in 
fig. 16. The evergreen Magnolias, the 
Australian Acacias, and similar half- 
hardy trees, and the more delicate kinds 
of pines and firs, may be protected in the 
same manner; while the smaller half- 
hardy shrubs, such as the cistuses and 
helianthemums, may be protected by 
the smaller coverings shown at d and e ; 
and plants against a conservative wall, 
such as China roses for early flowering, 
maybe protected by the cover- Fig 17 
ings^shown at a and b. These 
coverings may be made of platted 
rushes, sewed together; and mak¬ 
ing them will afford excellent em¬ 
ployment for poor women and 
children in autumn. 
Hotbeds in frames may now be made for forcing plants in pots; 
such as roses, pinks, hyacinths, mignionette, and the polyanthus 
Narcissus ; and dahlia roots, intended for early flowering, may be 
planted in them to bring forward the buds ; or, as the gardeners 
term it, u to start the eyes.” A very ingenious thermometer for 
ascertaining the heat of a hotbed has been contrived (see fig. 17 ), 
by which the heat, at the depth to which the point may be plunged? 
can be seen without removing the thermometer. 
Ranunculus roots, which are wanted to flower in April, may now 
be planted in frames; and the auricula beds may be covered with a 
coating of manure. 
