DECEMBER. 287 



Carnations and Picotees. — Those not potted early, unless shel- 

 tered from wet some time before potting, will suffer much. Keep the 

 stock dry without going to extremes ; cut away dead foliage as often 

 as it appears ; give plenty of air, without allowing the rain to wet tlie 

 plants, or the wind to loosen them. I'he surface of the mould in the 

 pots should be slightly scratched, to prevent its becoming green. 



CiiVEUARiAS. — Prepare now for the coming winter, by removing 

 them either to an airy part of the greenhouse, or securing well the 

 pits or frames by banking up and plenty of litter. Cinerarias will 

 stand no frost. Those who wish to have handsome i)lants, good 

 foliage, and fine flowers, must not keep them crowded. Give plenty 

 of air on all favourable occasions ; continue shifting into larger pots 

 as they require it ; water more sparingly, and keep the foliage, parti- 

 cularly that in the pits, as dry as possible ; look sharp after insects. 



Dahlias. — A very little attention will suffice for the next two 

 months ; if in a damp place, bring them out on a fine day, and cut 

 away any decayed part of the root. There will be considerable 

 trouble in wintering such varieties as produce large stems. Those 

 that are small just above the crown, and solid, cause much less 

 trouble. 



Epa CRISES. — Water sparingly, and when air is required for a short 

 time in the middle of a sunny day, give it from the roof ; have fuel 

 always at hand, to light a fire before going to bed should the ther- 

 mometer be approaching the freezing-point. 



Ericas. — The mode of procedure for the Erica during this and the 

 following month or two may be stated in a few words : keep the 

 plants in as quiescent a state as possible, by maintaining a uniformly 

 low temperature, and using no more water than is sufficient to im- 

 part a slight dampness to the soil. Regulate the admission of air 

 by the temperature from without ; if the weather be dry and calm, 

 the thermometer not lower than 35°, admit air from the roof-lights 

 till three o'clock ; not from the sides, as chilly currents coming into 

 immediate contact with the plants are apt to turn the foliage rusty, 

 more especially that of Vestitas and their allies. Should the air be 

 humid and the plants feel damp, down with the top-lights, light a 

 fire, and expel the enemy ; in a word, keep the plants as dry and 

 cool (short of frost) as possible : to raise the temperature, fire heat 

 should be resorted to but seldom. Never light a fire before going to 

 bed, unless you conceive it more than probable that there will be 6° 

 or 7° of frost out of doors before the hour of rising in the morning. 



Fuchsias are in cold frames at rest ; nothing, therefore, is neces- 

 sary to be said about them. 



Pansies planted out should be secured from rocking by the wind 

 with old Caniation-pegs. The surface of the beds must be loosened 

 occasionally, if there is rain, which makes them hard ; and they will 

 become sour if this is not attended to. If the beds are in a very wet 

 state, dig out the alleys or walks to the depth of a si)it, or spit and 

 a half. Those in pots should be kept moderately dry, clean, and 

 with plenty of air. The situation of the frame for wintering them 

 should be very light. 



