1838. ] 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS. 
19 
a fruit or two, assured me that, having eaten of the Banana in almost every 
clime where it is cultivated he had never tasted any so good or so high in 
flavour as those which I sent him, grown in an English garden a mile or 
two from his own home. 
Its simplicity of culture, its willingness to fruit, the quantity of its 
produce, and its richness when matured, are qualities which will ensure the 
Banana a place amongst our dessert fruits second to none, which is more 
than can he said, for instance, of the Cocoa-nut tree. 
Combe Abbey Gardens. William Miller. 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS.—JANUARY. 
1 HE directions which it is intended to give under this head are chiefly 
designed for the use of amateur gardeners, though, at the same time, 
it is hoped they may not he unacceptable to the junior members of 
the profession. I propose to touch lightly on the principal matters 
that require attention in each month, and my remarks shall he as 
practical and useful as I can make them. 
The weather of January is, in the average of years, more or less severe. 
The garden operations of the month depend, of course, to a certain extent 
on the state of the weather. Now, the protection of plants from frost is 
one of the first matters that require attention. Dry straw, litter, old hay, 
and dry fern are excellent protecting materials, and these before severe frost 
sets in, should be put round the pits and frames, and at night over the mats 
on the top. All tender plants in pits and frames must be well looked after 
and protected in frosty weather, but they should have all the light possible ; 
the coverings should, therefore, be taken off every day when the glass is not 
frozen. Some care must be exercised in giving air in cold weather, also 
after a frost, when the pits and frames have been covered for several days. 
In mild weather air should be given freely, and all dead leaves should be 
carefully picked off. No water should be given if the plants are not 
suffering for the want of it. 
In-doors, liardwooded greenhouse plants should have air whenever the 
state of the weather permits. No more artificial heat should be given than 
is necessary to keep out the frost, and no more water should be used than 
is absolutely required. Softwooded plants, particularly Pelargoniums, 
should be kept in houses by themselves, for though they can, when well 
rooted, be safely wintered in pits and frames, they will do much better if 
they have a temperature not much lower at any time than 45°. Variegated 
Pelargoniums lifted late out of the flower garden must have a little heat, 
otherwise they will damp and die off. 
In the flower garden the beds of bulbs must be protected from frost, if 
