Monthly Horticultural Calendar. 
383 
BIRDS.—The approach of .spring, and the excitement it causes, are now apparent iti the 
feathered creation, and their songs may be heard in every direction. Many birds begin to pair, 
and to look out proper situations for nestling. 
The Rook, Cdreuj/ruy/'/eyiii, Lin.; the Kingfisher, Alc^do Isp'/du; tlic Paitridge, Perdix 
cinerea; and the Tawny Owl, Stnxaluco, begin to prepare their nests. The Raven, Cdrvvs 
Corax-, sits. 
1'he Skylark, and Woodlark, Alauda orvensis and arbdrea-, the 'Wren, Sylvia Troglodytes ■ 
(Anoi-thhra commhnis, Rennie.) the Chaffinch, t'ringilla cceHebs, (F.spiza, Ren.) the Thros¬ 
tle, Tardus mitsictis; the Blackbird, Merula vulgrais-, and several other birds, commence 
their song. 
The following birds begin to leave their winter haunts, on the sea-shore, &c., and to retire t, 
their breeding places; the Curlew, Num>nius arquata, to heaths and bogs; the Golden Plover 
C'/iara'drius pluvia'lis, to the mountains and open heaths; the Knot, Tringa Canutns, and the 
Wild Goose, pj/ustnV, (Anas Anser, Lin.) to the fens; the Goosander, il/eryas yl/^roa/j- 
scr-, the Bernacle Goose, and the Brent Goose, Anser Bernicla and Hrenta, (Anas Erythropus 
and Bernfcla, Lin.) to the most northerly parts of Europe, Asia, and America. 
BATS.— Vespertilio mttrlnns, and other species, revive from their torpidity, which seems not to 
be so perfect as that of some other animals; a fine day or two, in any part of winter, being 
sufficient to bring them forth in the evening, ” 
SNAKES.—The Slow-worm, or Blind-worm as it is commonly called. Angitis frdgilis, revives 
from its torpid state. 
METEOROLOGY. 
Barometer. —Mean Height 30,067. Highest 30,820. Lowest 29,170inches. 
Thermometer. —Mean Temperature .38 degrees. Highest .53. Lowest 21 degrees. 
Rain. —Mean quantity 0,746 inches. 
Evaporation. —Mean quantity 0,733 inches. 
Dvffield Bank, January, \8‘32. O. Jewitt, 
V._mONTHLY HORTICULTURxVL calendar, 
FOR FEBRUARY. 
The exceeding openness of the weather during the past month, has greatly forwarded Horti¬ 
cultural operations. Most of the ground will now be trenched; and what is not finished, may 
be speedily proceeded with. When the weather is thus fine and open, February becomes a very 
important month to the gardener. All planting of trees, shrubs, &c. not performed in the 
autumn, may now be forwarded at the earliest convenience. Begin to make up hot-beds, for 
the first general crops of Cucumbers and Melons, and get a good supply of dung, for the purpose 
of lining, thrown together. As this month is proverbial for wet, it would be wisdom to make 
use of every fine day, to get in the crops necessary, and clear every part planted, of weeds. 
Any new work may be jiroceeded with, such as laying turf, &c., &c.; and towards the latter 
end, if the weather is fine, begin to trim the box and other edgings of walks, filling up their 
deficiencies. About the end, or in the beginning of March, is the time for grafting Apples, 
Pears, Plums, Cherries, &c., where the sorts are wished to be changed. Be careful to keep a 
regular heat in the Pine pits. 
FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 
Ft/iisZt prurtini^rtnf/nai7//i^ all the wall trees yet unfinished. In pruning Peaches, Nectarines, 
and Apricots, be careful always to have a good supply of young wood from the bottom of 
the trees. We prefer having the buds of Peaches and Nectarines advanced a little before 
the knife is used, so that in the north we may Ccilculate to be a fortnight behind the south. 
The sooner in the month Apples, Pears, and Cherries, are finished, the better. Goose¬ 
berries, Currants, and Raspberries, if not done before, must be set in order as soon as 
possible. 
Plant Raspberries, if not done in the autumn. I.et them be placed in rows, five feet apai't be¬ 
tween the rows, and four feet from stool to stool in the rows. We prefer planting about 
three plants in a triangular form, for each stool, cutting them down to about two feet high. 
Peach Houses must be paid strict attention to. Where the trees are in flower, or setting their 
fruit, admit air as early in the morning as possible, and shut up early in tlie afternoon; the 
less fire used in forcing the better. Moisten the air by steaming, whenever the flues’ are 
sufficiently warm for the purpose—say two or three times in a day; and look narrowly 
after the appeaiance of the Red Spider, (Acarus,) or Green Fly, (Aphis.) To destroy the 
former, syringe the trees w ith a mixture of sulphur and water, or wash the flues with a 
mixture of soft-soap, sulphur, and w'ater. Fumigating with tobacco is the most efficacious 
method of extirpating the fly. 
