Like January, February is in the main a month of preparation. It is rarely that dry, settled weather permits of regular work in the open air, but seed and plant orders may be prepared, stores procured, seeds sown, tubers started, and ground got ready.

We have a foretaste of the pleasures of the garden in the early flowers. In some places the pretty Hepaticas may be in bloom, and also their close relative the blue Anemone Angulosa. Many early bulbs will be out, notably Snowdrops, Chionodoxa, Crocuses, and Winter Aconites.

There may be bloom on the shrubs - on the Glastonbury Thorn, which is reputed to flower regularly on Christmas Day, but is just as likely to flower before if the autumn is mild; on the Winter Jasmine; on the Heaths; on the pretty yellow Hamamelis; on the yellow For-sythia; on the Daurian Rhododendron; on Standish's Honeysuckle (Lonicera Standishii); and possibly on the lovely Star Magnolia.

Tuberous plants that have to flower the same year from seed, such as Begonias, Gloxinias, Streptocarpuses, Dahlias, Cannas, and Achimenes, must be sown; but tubers may also be started for earlier bloom. Bulbs in pots, glasses, and vases may be examined, and given light and air. Many permanent greenhouse, room and hot-house plants can be overhauled, and if necessary divided. If a collection of Orchids is to be grown, the house can be prepared, and the appliances procured, with a view to commencing with imported pieces in spring. Turf may be laid.

Fruit trees may be planted in favourable weather, at proper distances apart, and staked securely. Those who wish for trained trees, and do not possess walls, may erect a framework of posts and wire. Cordon and fan trees are good types, and the former can be planted as close as two feet apart, so that a good number of varieties can be grown. The sorts should be carefully selected in order to give a succession of fruit. Apples, Plums, Pears, and Cherries should all be represented. Currants and Gooseberries may also be grown as trained trees. All these trees may be pruned.

Strawberries may be planted in well-prepared soil, as also may Raspberries.

Peaches and Nectarines require attention in February, particularly to see that they are not attacked by the deadly "blister." They may also be pruned, and trees started into growth under glass for early crops. Trees in bloom may be cross-fertilised and disbudded. Melons may be sown.

Birds are very troublesome to fruit buds, and measures must be taken to check them.

In the kitchen garden the preparation of the ground by digging, trenching, and manuring may be proceeded with. A few early sorts of vegetables may be sown out of doors, and others forced. Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Celery may be sown under glass. It is a good time to form a bed for Mushrooms, and great care should be taken with the preparation of the manure, inasmuch as success turns upon it. Potato sets may be started in boxes in a light, frost-proof place.