_Flower Garden and Greenhouse._--The long days and bright sunshine
will now begin to tell on the plants under glass. Examine all plants
that are vigorous and healthy; if the roots have matted the "ball" of
earth they must be shifted into a larger-sized pot. Plants from
cuttings struck last month may now be shifted, and the propagation of
all plants that are likely to be wanted should be continued. Hardier
kinds of annuals may be sown; it is best done in shallow boxes, say 2
in. deep.
_Lawns_ can be raked off and mulched with short manure, or rich garden
earth where manure cannot be obtained. Flower-beds on light soils may
be dug up so as to forward the work of the coming busy spring season.
Lawns may be benefited by a good dressing, in addition to the manure,
of some reliable commercial fertilizer. If the lawn is thin in spots,
these places may be raked over heavily and new grass seed sown.
_Fruit Garden._--In many sections, planting may now be done with
safety, provided the soil is light and dry, but not otherwise.
Although a tree or plant will receive no injury when its roots are
undisturbed in the soil should a frost come after planting, the same
amount of freezing will, and very often does, greatly injure the plant
if the roots are exposed.
_Grapery._--The grapery started in January will have set its fruit,
which should be thinned by one-third. The temperature may now be
further advanced to 70 deg. at night, with 15 deg. higher in the
daytime. The same precautions must be used against mildew and insects
as given in January. Graperies wanted for succession may be started in
February or this month.
_Vegetable Garden._--This is a busy month. In localities where the
frost is out of the ground, if it is not wet, seeds of the hardier
vegetables can be sown. The list of seeds given for the southern
states in January may now be used at the north, while for most of the
southern states tender vegetables, such as egg plant, okra, sweet
potatoes, melon, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, &c., may be sown and
planted. Hotbeds must now be all started. In March flower seeds and
vegetable seeds may be sown in boxes or flats in the greenhouse, or in
residence windows, or near the kitchen stove. Unless one has space
under glass, or in hotbeds, in which the plants may be transplanted
before they are set in the open ground, it is well not to start the
seeds too early, inasmuch as the plants are likely to become too large
or to be pot-bound, or to become drawn.