THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 373 



ventilators are open. To economize fuel, aa well as for the sake of 

 the health of the plants, cover the glass with thick canvas, mats, or 

 frigi-domo, during very sharp frosts, to prevent the escape of the 

 heat. "Water earlj, and choose a clear, bright day for that purpose. 

 It will be better to let the plants be dry for a day or two, than 

 water them in damp weather. Cyclamens, and single and double 

 primulas, now coming into flower, must have the warmest corner 

 the house affords. Look sharp after greeu-fly, and fumigate imme- 

 diately it makes its appearance. Remove every decayed leaf, and 

 keep everything as clean and sweet as circumstances will permit. 



Stove. — Nothing must be done to excite any of the occupants 

 unnecessarily, just now, or the summer growth will be poor and 

 weak in consequence. Attend carefully to ferns, especially the 

 delicate kinds, like the Gymnogrammas, Nothochlfenas, and Cheil- 

 anthes, the fronds of which soon decay if wetted frequently, or 

 exposed to a damp atmosphere. ^11 kinds should be kept as quiet 

 as possible. Sometimes the close-growing Selaginellas will rot at 

 this season ; and the best way to stop its progress is to clear away 

 the decayed portion, and then sprinkle the plants with dry sand, 

 and place them in a dry position near the glass for a short time. 



Kitchen GtAeden. — Draw a little earth to the autumn-sown 

 beans and peas now peeping through the ground, and keep a sharp 

 look-out for mice, which are very busy just now, and trap them 

 directly they make an appearance. In very sharp weather, cover 

 celery with long litter, for it soon rots in the centre after it has 

 been frozen. Take up a supply of Jerusalem artichokes and parsnips 

 for immediate use, and place in the root-house, and cover with dry 

 sand or soil ; but the principal bulk should remain in the ground 

 for the present, as they are firmer, and eat more mellow than when 

 taken up at the beginning of the winter, and stored in the root- 

 house. Frosty weather must be taken advantage of for wheeling 

 manure on vacant quarters ; and when the weather is unfavourable 

 for out-door work, overhaul the root stores, and remove all that 

 exhibit the least signs of decay from contact with that which is 

 sound. 



FjiuiT Gaeden. — Pruning of all fruit-trees, excepting the peach 

 and nectarine, must be commenced in earnest. Lay in no more 

 wood than is really required, for nothing is gained by over-crowding, 

 but much lost. Wash apple-trees infested with American blight 

 with strong brine, but avoid damaging either fruit-buds or wood- 

 buds. See that trees planted last month are properly staked, and 

 cover the soil immediately over the roots with six inches of half- 

 rotten stable manure, to prevent the frost loosening it. 



Pits and Fkames. — Violets must be protected in cold and 

 frosty weather, but draw the lights off entirely whenever the weather 

 will admit of its being done with advantage. Auriculas, carnations, 

 pansies, pinks, and picotees, must have a free circulation of air about 

 them at all times, excepting when the weather is very damp or 

 frosty. A few degrees of frost will not do so much injury as a stag- 

 nant atmosphere. The early-potted hyacinths and other Dutch 

 bulbs should be uncovered at once, and exposed to the light. 



December. 



