FEBRUARY. 
39 
them near the glass. Ericas .—The softwooded 
kinds will soon commence growth, and will 
therefore require an increased supply of water. 
Admit air freely on every favourable occasion, 
still adopting the plan of closing early ; unless 
the weather should prove very severe, abstain 
from making fires. Many beautiful varieties 
will shortly be in bloom, and from this time 
we may calculate on its continuance for many 
months. Look to mildew on the free-grow¬ 
ing sorts; apply sulphur immediately it 
makes its appearance. Pelargoniums .—Repot 
July plants into blooming pots, now that 
they have sufficiently broken after being 
stopped. May plants must be pushed along; 
a little fire occasionally will be found neces¬ 
sary, with air : by no means keep the house 
close. If water is required, see that enough 
is given at a time to penetrate the ball. A 
“little” water will ruin them, by only 
wetting the surface, instead of penetrating to 
the points of the roots. Young stock should 
also receive a shift. Fumigate the houses 
occasionally. Tie out the shoots of all plants 
that are becoming crowded, and give them all 
the room that can be afforded. 
CONSERVATORY. 
In arranging plants, aim at effect in the 
view from the principal entrance. In group¬ 
ing, be careful to preserve perfect harmony 
of colour, selecting the most showy plants 
for conspicuous places, which may be set off 
with dwarf Palms, Ferns or Lycopods, 
Camellias, forced Chinese and hardy Azaleas, 
Rhododendrons, Roses, Honeysuckles, Deut- 
zias, and numerous other plants, including 
bulbs, Neapolitan and Tree Violets, and Mig¬ 
nonette. Make it a rule to have the last 
three always in bloom, to mix with other 
plants for their fragrance; as well as Daphne 
indica and rubra, forced Orange trees, Musk 
plants, &c. Calla aethiopica is a nice plant at 
this season, if well managed; as are the per¬ 
petual or tree Carnations, being as useful for 
cut flowers as for their scent. Let such plants 
as go out of bloom have attention, if wanted 
for forcing another season. Dahlias .—-The 
general stock should now be started in gentle 
heat. Tan or dung beds answer equally well 
for breaking them, or the tubers may be 
placed near a pipe in the vinery. If the 
tubers are doing well, and are likely to pro¬ 
duce more cuttings than are required, destroy 
these for a time, as there is some trouble in 
preventing early-struck plants from becoming 
stunted. 
PITS AND FRAMES. 
Look over the stock of bedding plants, re¬ 
moving those varieties of which a further 
supply will be required to a warmer tempera¬ 
ture, where they will soon push young shoots, 
which will strike freely. Calceolarias, Pe¬ 
tunias, Verbenas, &c., wintered in cold pits 
require to be kept dry and clean. Remove all 
dead leaves. Give them all the air possible in 
dry weather. Water in the morning, and close 
early after watering. Fumigate continually. 
In severe weather, should the frost penetrate 
the covering, let the plants remain covered 
until thawed. 
FORCING. 
Vines that have broken so much as to give 
indications of what the crop promises to be, 
should now be disbudded; and as the shoots 
lengthen, they should be gradually tied to 
their places. Maintain a steady temperature, 
not exceeding 65° by day, taking advantage 
of fine weather to allow a rise of 10° or 12° ; 
frequently sprinkle the pipes and paths of the 
house, but withhold the syringe from the 
foliage; admit air gradually and with much 
caution. Allow Peaches to advance very 
slowly, especially in dull weather. Aim at 
having a free admission of air on all favour¬ 
able occasions; and when the blossoms are 
expanded, partially thin them. Keep up a suc¬ 
cession of Strawberries by placing another 
lot in the pit, or elsewhere, under cover; 
water cautiously those that may have shown 
flower, and by no means allow the water to 
remain in the bottom-pans, if they are so 
situated. Prepare beds for Cucumbers and 
Melons, if wanted early; and make succes- 
sional sowing of Kidney Beans. Look to 
the bottom heat of Pines; those likely to 
show soon should have every advantage of 
light, with an increase of temperature, which, 
to ensure fine fruit, must Is kept steady. 
.Apply fresh fermenting material to succes- 
sional plants; and have soil and pots in 
readiness to repot them towards the end of 
the month. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
J[f the ground is somewhat dry, and the 
weather is open, preparations must be made 
for the spring and summer crops. Ground 
still undug should be immediately turned over; 
and such pieces as have been rough-dug some 
time should be turned back with the five-lined 
fork, a better implement than the spade for 
thoroughly mixing the soil. Land intended 
for the reception of tap-rooted plants, as 
Carrots, &c., should be well worked to a good 
depth, that the roots may grow straight and 
clean. Look over early-planted Cabbages, 
Lettuces, and Cauliflowers, and fill up va¬ 
cancies ; pick off decayed leaves, and give 
air at all times; towards the end of the month 
get them hardened off for transplanting to 
warm, sheltered ground when the weather 
permits. Sow on a slight bottom heat, for 
future transplanting, Cauliflowers, Walcheren 
Broccoli, and Lettuce, as well a3 Celery for 
early use. If any spare frames are at hand, 
fill them with some fermenting material, and 
plant a crop of early Potatoes, and a few true 
Short Horn Carrots and early Radishes ; the 
latter should be sown in the open ground at 
the first favourable opportunity, selecting the 
driest and warmest spots for them; cover 
the ground afterwards with dry litter till the 
plants are up. Towards the end of the month 
