FEBRUARY. 
3 
and the various Ghent varieties. These, with 
Spiraeas, including Spiraea astilboides, S. japonica, 
S. confusa, and & Tlumbergii, Lilacs, Philadelphus, 
Deutzias, Rhododendrons, and Roses, should he 
potted up, and introduced in batches as they are 
required. Tuberoses will also have arrived by 
this time, and a batch of them ought to be started 
in small pots, potting them on into those of larger 
size as soon as they show their flower-spikes. 
Batches of Lilium Harrisii, Hyacinths, Tulips, 
Lily of the Yalley, Polygonatum, Narcissus, 
Gladiolus (The Bride), and other bulbs ought 
also to be brought forward in gentle heat, and re¬ 
moved, just as the flowers begin to expand, into 
a cooler and more airy structure. This is done 
in order that their flowers may be of greater 
substance, and therefore better able to endure 
the lower temperature to which they will be 
subjected. 
Greenhouse and Conservatory. —In cold, 
frosty weather much care must be exercised to 
keep the occupants of these places in good health, 
particularly if they include, as is usually the 
case, a varied collection of plants. Cape Heaths 
do not thrive under much artificial heat, while 
some of the soft-wooded plants, such as Pelar¬ 
goniums, ought not to be in a lower tempera¬ 
ture than 45° Fahr. Where these plants have 
to occupy the same houses as those derived from 
Australia they should be placed at the warmest 
end of the building, in such positions that 
they may be placed near the glass. Watering 
must be done cautiously, especially if the ther¬ 
mometer should show a lower degree than that 
mentioned. Heaths, and other hard-wooded 
plants of similar habit, should have all the air 
possible when the weather is propitious, for a 
close atmosphere conduces to the formation of 
mildew. 
The conservatory must be kept free from all 
dead or decaying foliage or flowers, and no more 
water should be used than is necessary to keep 
the plants in a state of health, for the less mois¬ 
ture there is in the house the better and fresher 
will the flowers keep. Superfluous moisture 
may be expelled by keeping up a sufficient 
heat. It is always best to ventilate in the early 
part of the day, closing the lights early, so as to 
aid in maintaining the temperature during the 
night. 
Pits and Frames. 
Under this heading must be included both 
hot and cold pits, wooden frames, and boxes for 
placing in hot-beds. The former are most use¬ 
ful for protecting plants which are required for 
the flower-garden during summer. The gentle 
heat generated by the hot-water pipes will be suf¬ 
ficient to keep the frost away from such plants as 
Pelargoniums, Ageratums, Lobelias, and other 
half-hardy kinds required for the aforesaid pur¬ 
pose. They are also well adapted for propa¬ 
gating most of such plants. Unheated pits are 
serviceable for growing Yiolets, and for winter¬ 
ing many plants which are too sensitive to cold 
to withstand the rigour of an English winter, as, 
for example, Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Stocks, and 
similar plants. Frames are also exceedingly 
useful, as they may be moved from place to place 
and put over beds of various plants, either to 
bring them forward, or as a protection from cold. 
They are also much in demand during spring 
for “hardening off” numerous plants before their 
exposure to the open air. Cuttings of Chrysan¬ 
themums may be inserted in them, and if there 
be no room in the heated pits, pots of Sweet 
Peas may be forwarded in them for planting 
out later on. 
Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 
Ii the weather be frosty wheel manure on to 
all vacant ground, to be dug in as soon as con¬ 
ditions are favourable. Clear up any weeds 
and other rubbish which may have accumulated 
during boisterous weather. When atmospheric 
conditions permit, prune and nail deciduous 
climbers and other shrubs. Push forward any 
ground work that can be done before tasks of 
a more urgent character reveal themselves. 
Should there be very severe frost it may be 
necessary to protect some of the more tender 
plants, such as Magnolia grandiflora, Euonymus, 
Tea Roses, Escallonias, Ceanothus, &c. Nothing 
is more suited to this end than bracken. Ground 
around the roots of plants covered with decaying 
leaves will be hindered from becoming frozen. 
Occasionally deciduous trees and shrubs may 
be planted, and many hardy plants may be 
divided and replanted. 
FEBRUARY. 
Plant-houses. 
Orchid Houses. —-Many Odontoglossums 
of the crispum type will now be showing their 
flower-spikes, and these should be carefully in¬ 
spected every day for slugs and snails, which 
are particularly fond of them. If the past 
month has been severe, rendering much fire- 
heat necessary, thrips will most probably have 
