I said at the opening of the present chapter that January is in the main a month of preparation. There are rarely any outdoor flowers in the first half of the month, although, if the winter be mild, there may be a few stray blossoms on the coloured primroses, and an early Iris or two may be open. In frames both Violets and Irises may be in flower, but it will depend upon the weather. The winter Jasmine will have seized any opportunity of a mild spell to open her pretty primrose blossoms, and the sweet, white, winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera Fragrantissima), may be out.

There will be plenty of flowers in the heated greenhouse or conservatory, resulting from operations in summer and autumn, which will be described at the right time.

Fruit trees are dormant, as are trees and shrubs, with one or two exceptions.

Hardy winter vegetables are in use, and others are being forced.

Let us take the different sections separately.