1875. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR FEBRUARY. 
33 
welcome at all times. When houses are specially set apart for their culture, 
there is little difficulty in having them in abundance. If grown in pots, they 
may be assisted by a bed of fermenting material, which not only promotes a 
genial state of the atmosphere both as to warmth and humidity, highly beneficial 
to vegetation, but is also inimical to insect life. Fully expose the plants to 
every ray of light, and keep the temperature at 50° to 55° by fire-heat, syringing 
and otherwise promoting that genial moist temperature so desirable for the 
encouragement of a healthy growth. Finish the pruning of all pot Eoses. Also 
thin out, tie, or train all hardy sorts upon pillars or walls. 
Conservatory: A succession of plants must be frequently introduced here. 
Amongst the most effective will be Azaleas , Camellias , Rhododendrons , Roses , 
Heaths , and Epacrises , which latter are among the most beautiful and useful of 
all winter-flowering plants. For example, as a cut spray, what can be more effective 
for delicacy and purity of colour than Epacris Lady Panmure , E. hyacinthiflora 
candidissima , E. Mrs. Pym , and many others which are easily brought into 
bloom ? Amaryllises (Hippeastrums) and Lily of the Valley , and well-bloomed 
specimens of Calla cethiopica , with its massive foliage, and quaint, but effective 
flower-spathes, will play an important part in decoration at this season. I find 
Centropogon Lucyanus a very showy decorative plant during winter, producing 
its crimson Justicia-like blooms in the greatest profusion, in a temperature of 50° 
to 55°. Another very desirable, but neglected plant, which produces its neat 
masses of pure white blossoms most profusely during mid-winter without 
forcing, is the Crassula lactea, a plant worthy of more extended cultivation. 
Linum trigynum is another most valuable and effective plant in conservatory 
arrangements, its pure yellow blossoms contrasting so effectively with the majority 
of plants now in flower. 
Stoves: The efficiency of fermenting materials in hothouse-beds must now be 
insured, either by renewal or by additions, as a sharp bottom-heat will be advan¬ 
tageous in starting the various subjects into growth, as well as facilitating propa¬ 
gation. A great majority of winter-flowering and fine-foliage plants are best 
struck annually at this season, being most useful in a small state. Most of the 
plants will require a shift during the month. Shake out Alocacias , and repot in 
an open, porous compost, in freely-drained pots. Examine the state of all plants 
at the root, and if the soil in any case is found to be sour and inert, it is best to 
shake the roots clean out of it, repotting in healthy compost in small pots ; they will 
thus soon re-establish themselves, if kept close in a sharp heat. Palms should be 
extensively grown ; they are indispensable for every purpose of adornment, so 
elegant and effective, and so easy of cultivation, being unrivalled as u table 
plants,” and standing in the obscurely-lighted positions in which plants are often 
placed in house decoration, better than most other subjects, with but little 
attention. Seeds should now be sown, and young stock kept active. 
Such fragrant subjects as Gardenias and Taberncemontanas, which are 
invaluable for the production of cut blooms, should, after they have done 
blooming, especially if large and severely forced, have the balls examined, re¬ 
moving a portion of the soil, shortening the roots, and repotting in a rich fibrous 
peat with a liberal admixture of sand ; they will start vigorously into growth if 
placed on a bed of tan, in a genial temperature, and freely syringed over-head. 
When accommodation can be afforded them, they should be planted out for the 
production of cut-blooms. In potting, let the health and quantity of roots be 
the guide as to increased size of pot; use soils in a healthy state, and of the best 
procurable quality, rich in fibre. An increase of temperature and moisture may 
be given as the days lengthen. 
