CALENDAR AND INDEX. THE object of this Calendar is to furnish, in a con- JANUARY. Having shown in page 79, that heat, air, and water, Temperance, in the use of water, is of the utmost observed further, that it is not prudent to keep plants in an extremely vigorous state until the season arrives, when the natural air is soft and salubrious; they can then have a due proportion of heat, air, and moisture at the same time. Perhaps the next important point to be attended to at this time is, to see that the greenhouse, or room, in which plants are intended to be preserved, is calculated for the purpose. The room should be light and airy, and yet so secure as to prevent the intrusion of external cold air, or the departure of warm air in the night season. A Fahrenheit thermometer is indispensable in a greenhouse, or room, where plants are kept, and the temperature should be always up as nearly as possible to 40 degrees, in the absence of the sun. If the gardener retires to rest in this variable climate, leaving the mercury much below 40, he may expect to find his plants frozen by the morning. At this season of the year especially, sitting-rooms or parlours are heated in the daytime to full 20 degrees higher than what is necessary for the preservation of plants; consequently, as the heat declines in the night season, plants often get injured, unless a fire is kept up. Air must be admitted to plants kept in this way at all opportunities, and more water will be necessary for such plants, than those kept in a greenhouse would require. For the management of Bulbous roots, in pots or glasses, the reader is referred to page 73. FEBRUARY. Having in the previous chapter discussed some important points relative to the general care of plants, now proceed to notice a few of those kinds that require attention at this particular season: Camellias or Japan Roses. These valuable plants are too often injured by amateurs from misapplied care bestowed upon them, so that their whole compensation and enjoyment is reduced to the mere possession of a handsome green shrub, Destined from the extreme beauty and unrivalled delicacy of their flowers to become the chief pride and ornament of the greenhouse and drawing-room in the winter season, the Camellias should have a fair chance given them to exhibit their bloom in perfection. It should be observed, that Camellias are by no means tender shrubs, but require to be kept in a medium even temperature, and they generally succeed best in a greenhouse, where the atmosphere is damp. As the buds begin to swell, they will require more water than at any other time, which may be applied from the rose of a watering pot, or syringe, while in bud, but when in blossom, it should be applied to the earth. If Camellias be kept where there is a dry air, occasioned from fire heat, they must have plenty of the natural air at all opportunities, or the buds will become brown and fall off; and if they are subjected to extreme cold at night, which is too frequently the case, when kept in rooms of an uneven temperature, premature decay of the buds will inevitably be the consequence. Such bulbous roots as may be in progress of blooming, will require attention this month; turn them frequently to the light, as recommended in page 73, increase the supplies of water as they advance towards perfection, and admit air at all opportunities. Take off and remove yellow and decayed leaves from plants in general; those that are not in bud should be watered very sparingly. Shrubby plants, especially those which bud and blossom in the winter, and early part of the spring, as the several varieties of Acacias, Correas, Coronillas, Daphnes, Diosmas, Eutaxias, Fuchsias, Gnidias, Heaths, Laurustinuses, Lemon and Orange trees, &c., will require water once or twice a week according to circumstances, and air should be given at all opportunities, or the plants will not blossom in perfection. MARCH. As the spring progresses, the natural air will be soft and salubrious; at which time it should be freely admitted to plants kept in rooms and greenhouses. In proportion as the plants get air, they should have water applied from the rose of a watering-pot. Monthly Roses will require attention this month. It should be recollected, that it is from the young wood of these plants, that buds are to be expected; their growth should, therefore, be encouraged, by admitting sun and air at all opportunities, and water when necessary. Primulas. There are several species of plants under this name, which exhibit their blossoms in March and April; some of which are very beautiful, as the Polyanthus, English Spring Flowers, Auricula, &c; but I would now direct the reader's attention to the Chinese varieties, some of which are pure white, and others of a lilac colour. They are first raised from seed sown in the spring, and will keep two or three years. Plants that are full grown, will commence blooming in December, and continue to produce umbels of flowers for five or six months, if well attended to; they are generally in their prime this month, at which time a little water should be applied to the earth about twice a week. : For the benefit of such as may wish to raise early plants from seed, or to force Dahlia or other roots, I subjoin the following brief directions for making a small hot-bed In a border exposed to morning sun, let a pit be dug about thirty inches deep, three feet wide, and six long; this will admit of two sashes, each about three feet square. A frame of suitable dimensions may be made of plank; the back plank may be two feet wide, and the end ones may be sloped so as to make a fifteen-inch plank do for the front. The frame being made, set it over the pit, and then get about half a load of horse dung, fresh from the livery stables, (not such as have lain long, or may have been APRIL. This is the most important month in the year for |