-January 2'). 
COUNTllY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION 
a I-") 
[ 
I ing, prune back unci encourage j’oung shoots for the 
i next year. 
j Lachanai.ia tricolor, &c. —Tliesc little plants bloom 
■ well at tiiis season, if, after early potting in autumn, they 
I are placed in a forcing-pit in Jjecember. AVhen done 
(lowering, and the foliage decayed, tliey should be 
i taken out of the pots, or kept dry in them, until the 
I autumn. 
I f)XAHS MARGINATA, SANGUINEUM, &C., do Wcll Uiuler 
similar treatment, but require little or no forcing. 
'J'hcso are beautiful little things for the front of a 
sliclf. AVlion tlic foliage decays, turn the pots on their 
sides to keep tliein dry. 
PiTTOsPORUM TOJ31RA and UNDULATA. —The first a low, 
evergreen shrub, with whitisli, small llowcrs; the second 
^ more upright and vigorous in its growth, and both 
1 interesting for the sweetness of the llowers. Itequire 
common treatment in winter, and may stand out-of- 
j doors all the summer. 
SciLLA BREVii'OLiA.—A pictty, piiikisli flower, a few 
inches in height, requiring treatment similar to Oxalis, 
above. 
Staraxis tricolor. —Similar treatment, in peat and 
loam. 
'Tlte forcing of Shrubs is most successfully managed 
when the pots are full of roots from early potting, 
and these roots receive the advantage of a mild 
I bottom-heat before a higher temperature affects the 
buds. For hardy shrubs, the jdunging the pots in a 
mild, growing heat, out-of-doors, as in a heap of leaves, 
for a month before placing them in the forcing pit, is a 
good preparation. Chinese Roses will bloom in the 
greenhouse without forcing. 'Teas, Perpetuals, &c., are 
best treated as above. 
Musk {Mimuliis moschatus ).—When this is grown 
early one year, and the pots are kejit after the tops have 
died down, it will come early again. A very little forcing 
and warm water will do. Some of our window-gardeners 
arc sadly perjilexed with this plant. The top decays, 
and the pot and its contents are consigned to the dust- 
heap as useless. Were the [lots kept just dryish instead 
of wet, and watered next spring, one pot, alter the roots 
had sprung, would furnish enough for half-a dozen pots. 
.].,iLY OF TUE Valley. —Secure plants in pots with 
prominent buds, and well-rooted ; and plunging tbe pots 
in a sweet, mild bottom-heat, in a forcing-pit, is the most 
successful mode for obtaining these sweet flowers now. 
As soon as they ajqiear, move tbe pots to a sunny, airy 
position. R. Eisii. 
G.-\RDENING FOR THE IMANY.— February. 
General Remarks. —The cheering influence of spring 
coming on gives more or less energy to all con¬ 
cerned in tbe great work of “ tilling the ground,” 
the more enthu.siastic portion striving to meet, if not 
forestall, the coming season: while the more apa¬ 
thetic lag behind, and are content to follow in the 
wake. This unenviable class is assuredly becoming 
fewer, and each succeeding season will, we hope, di¬ 
minish their numbers; for, certainly, there can be no 
nobler pursuit thatr to place some of the most useful 
productions of Nature in a way to perfect themselves, 
which is done by simply committing the seed to the 
earth at the proper time, and in tbe proper way, giving 
tbe proper attention to it afterwards, so tliat a becoming 
result may be ensured ; and this and the ensuing months 
being the time when much that is useful that way ought 
to be done, the horticulturist must be up and doing. 
The days lengthening give increased oiiportunitics to 
hasten on the works, and other matters being also 
lavourable, no time must be lost in finishing any 
extra jobs begun during the wunter; while the ])lant- 
ing of deciduous trees and shrubs ought to be brought 
to a close, gravel-walks well rolled after frosts are over, 
Box and other edgings having previously been put 
to rights, and, in fact, everything done now that can 
he done to expedite the usual work of the after months, 
which of tboinselves afford plenty of employment that 
cannot be put off. 
a. -Remove any covering that may have been over j 
the British Queen Strawberries, but do not clear I 
away tbe old half-decayed leaves yet, as they will | 
be serviceable for a month longer. Look over the ■ 
beds, and see that mice do not harbour there; if 
so, trap them or dig them out, and kill them, as 
they are more easily caught now than afterwards. 
B.as/)berries may be tied up, but do not top them 
until next month. JJo not reserve too many canes, 
as the more thin they are the liner the fruit. 
b. -If Potatoes were planted here last month, little is 
wanted until they show themselves in April, when, 
perhaps, a slight covering for a week or two will be 
necessary at nights. A space being left for CauJi- | 
flower, the end of the mouth is quite soon enough | 
to plant them ; but March will be better. In the 
meantime, dig the ground over on frosty mornings, 
and make all ready for the after-work fast coming ; 
on. * 
c. -Successive portions of Sea-hale may be covered up 
with leaves or dung, after placing a jiot or box 
over the plant; and as the progress now is more 
rapid than it will be afterwards, it need not be 
covered in more than from twenty to twenty live i 
days before it is wanted ; this is supposing the dung | 
or leaves to heat moderately. When any old por- ' 
tion is done bearing, remove the pots and dung, , 
leaving, however, some to cover uii the plant; the 
dung or leaves, if warm, will do again. Rhubarb 
may bo served in the same way; only when this 
