DECEMBER. 375 



Flower Garden.— Aiieni to the protection of bulbs, sheltering them 

 from heavy drenching rains as well as frost. Protect tender Roses. 

 Continue alterations in favourable weather. Prune and dig every- 

 thing requiring it. Sweep and roll lawns and walks when necessary. 



Forcing Hard// S//rids. — Introduce a second batch of Lilacs, Roses, 

 Azaleas, Kalmias, Rhodoras, Rhododendrons, Deutzia, &c., to succeed 

 the first lot. Plunge them in a nice bottom heat and keep the atmo- 

 sphere moist. A night temperature of from 50° to 55°, and a day 

 temperature of from 60° to 65°, will be sufficient at tliis season. 



Forc'mg Ground. — Seakale, Rhubarb, and Asparagus are easily 

 forced when they have a nice regular bottom heat. Asparagus requires 

 abundance of light when the heads get above the soil ; Seakale and 

 Rhubarb are best forced in darkness. Whatever plan of forcing is 

 adopted, take care to keep a regular succession of them. Sow IMustard 

 and Cress weekly. 



Fruit (hardij). — Continue the planting of trees in favourable 

 weather. Be careful in planting not to plant the roots too deep. 

 Make new plantations of Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries, if 

 required. In favourable weather proceed with the pruning and nailing 

 of wall trees. Look over orchard trees, and cut out any branches that 

 cross each other ; scrape the moss off the stem. When large branches 

 are removed, the wound should be dressed with a little white-lead to 

 keep out wet. Push forward as much as possible all operations in this 

 department. It is a great advantage in having it all done before long 

 severe frosts set in. 



Greenhouse (Jiard-wooded'). — Give air on all occasions when the 

 weather will admit, always avoiding cold currents. Water very care- 

 fully. Apply fires just sufficiently to allay damp and to keep out the 

 frost. Look over the plants occasionally and turn them. Soft-wooded. 

 — Attend to previous directions. 



Hollyhocks. — These should be kept growing if the plants are late 

 struck and weakly. Strong plants should have plenty of pot room, 

 and be grown quite hardy. 



Kitchen Garden. — Push forward alterations aud heavy work of all 

 descriptions. Dig, or trench and ridge, all vacant ground. In frosty 

 weather wheel manure on all places where it is required, and put up 

 some in heaps where it is likely to be wanted when the adjoining 

 grounds become vacant. All old hotbed linings should be cleared out 

 in frosty, dry weather. Protect Parsley, Lettuce, Endive, and Cauli- 

 flowers. Earth up Celery when dry. Sow a few Early Horn Carrot 

 and short-topped Radish on a warm south border. Sow some early 

 Peas and Beans, if not already done, and look out for mice. Finish 

 dressing Asparagus beds, if not already done. 



Pansies. — Little will have to be done but keeping those in pots 

 clean. 



Peach-forcing. — The first house should be got ready immediately. 

 Before the trees are tied they should be carefully washed with tlie fol- 

 lowing mixture : — A little soft soap, sulphur, clay, and tobacco-water, 

 reduced with water to about the consistency of paint : this is to lie 

 applied with a brush, merely to open the surface ; they should then 



