* 
FEBRUARY. 61 
about 45° should be maintained by fire-heat, giving sufficient air 
during the day to prevent injury from stagnant moisture in the atmo- 
sphere, and allowing the thermometer to rise to 55° or 60° with a little 
back air on fine bright days. Keep everything perfectly. clean here, 
and endeavour, by effective arrangement, to make the most of the plants 
at command. See that Camellias, Acacias, and other things planted in 
the beds or borders which bloom about this season, are properly supplied 
with water at the root, giving a thorough soaking to such as may be 
found to require it, using water as warm or warmer than the tempera- 
ture of the house. Cold Frames.—Last month’s directions will be 
applicable to the general stock here. Calceolarias and Cinerarias do 
much better in pits and frames, provided they can be efficiently 
guarded from frost, than mixed up in the greenhouse with hard- 
wooded plants which, being in a dormant state, require a cool dry 
atmosphere, with a free circulation of air; and, now that the season is 
so far advanced that we may hope to be able, even in cold frames, to 
guard such things from frost, they should be collected together and placed 
in pits, or frames near the glass, first repotting such as require thie 
attention; keep as close as can be done without injuring the foliage 
by damp, but a little back air should be given on the forenoons of bright 
days, shutting up early in the afternoon and covering early when 
there is the prospect of frost. Such things as Verbenas, Petunias, 
Lobelias, Ageratums, variegated or other Geraniums, &c., of which a 
large increase may be required before planting-out time, should be 
at once removed to a moist warm atmosphere of from 55° to 70°, 
placing the plants close to the glass, repotting such as may require. 
this, and using every means to secure an ample stock of strong cuttings 
as soon as possible. And, unless some better provision for propagating 
such things is at command, a dung-frame or pit should be prepared at 
once, in order that it may be in readiness for cuttings as soon as these 
ean be procured. Early propagation is the only certain method of 
securing strong well prepared plants at planting-out time, and this is 
the class of plants to secure a good display in the flower garden 
early in the season. Keep every thing perfectly clear of green-fly. 
Greenhouse.—A rather dry atmosphere, with a free circulation of air 
on every favourable opportunity should be aimed at here for the pre- 
sent, still keeping the plants on the side of dryness at the root; but this 
must not be carried too far; and where a plant is watered, enough 
should be given to fairly moisten the ball. Towards the end of the 
month young stock of New Holland and other plants, which it may be 
desirable to increase in size as fast as possible, should be collected and 
placed where they can be kept rather closer and afforded a somewhat 
moister atmosphere than the general stock, giving air against them very 
sparingly. Such plants should, however, first be cut back as may be 
necessary, and nicely tied out, so as to secure a well shaped foundation 
for the future specimen, and they must not be allowed to suffer for the 
want of pot-room. And such things will require very careful watering 
at the root, as either too much or too little will be dangerous in the 
extreme. See that every thing is free from aphis and mildew. Les- 
chenaultias are particularly liable to be attacked by the former, and, 
