30 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



crops are cleared. This is an important matter, for it ruins walks 

 to wheel upon them when they are wet and soft from the frost and 

 rain. Turn over and mix together manure-heaps, to assist the 

 decay of the various components, and prepare them for use without 

 further trouble when the compost is wanted in the spring. Quick 

 and all other hedges, with the exception of evergreens, should be 

 cut and repaired without delay if necessary, so as to leave as little 

 work of this kind as possible for succeeding weeks. Trenching and 

 ridging up unoccupied quarters should be carried on with activity. 

 The ground cannot be too rough, or too much exposed through the 

 winter. As Globe Artichokes are often injured by severe frost, 

 additional protection should be afforded the crowns. Heap round 

 them a good thickness of dry leaves or long litter, and cover with 

 soil or coal-ashes, to prevent the wind blowing the protecting 

 materials about. Cauliflowers under ground vineries or hand-lights 

 and in frames should have an abundance of air, whenever the state 

 of the weather will admit of its being given with safety. To keep 

 them as hardy and as stocky as possible, take the lights entirely off 

 for a few hours en fine days. Keep the foliage dry, and remove all 

 decayed leaves without delay. Cover the lights with mats, straw 

 hurdles, or long litter, on frosty nights. 



Conservatoey. — As there is necessarily a mixed collection of 

 flowering plants in this structure during the present month, some 

 requiring a higher temperature than others, a little attention is neces- 

 sary in their disposition and arrangement to make all comfortable. 

 Hard-wooded plants should be arranged at the cool end, forced Bulbs 

 and Primulas, Justicias, Euphorbias, Violets, Lily of the Valley, and 

 Poinsettias, should be kept at the warmest end. "Water early in the 

 day, and keep the atmosphere dry, to prolong the beauty and fresh- 

 ness of the plants in bloom as long as possible. 



GnEENHorsE. — Fire-heat must be used sparingly, but the frost 

 must not be allowed to enter any of the houses. Soft-wooded plants 

 must be kept near the glass, or they will become weak. Ericas to be 

 cleared of dead leaves, and have a dry air. Pelargoniums for show to 

 have their last potting ; keep near the glass, and look out for green-fly. 

 Fuchsias required in flower early to be repotted, and have a moist 

 heat of 60° by day and 50° by night. Scarlet geraniums to have 

 little or no water. Verbenas and petunias should be on a top shelf, 

 and be kept tolerably dry. If any appearance of mildew on any of 

 the inmates of this structure, dust with flowers of sulphur imme- 

 diately ; if any fly, fumigate with tobacco. 



Forcing. — Vines to be started at 50° to 60', never higher, and 

 the syringe to be used freely amongst them. Peaches in bloom to 

 be kept well watered at the roots, but maintain a dry atmosphere to 

 keep the pollen dry and enable it to perform its allotted functions- 

 Pines in fruit, 80° by day, 65° by night ; shift succession pines at 

 the end of the month. Figs will bear more heat than any other 

 forced fruit, but too much heat or too much water will cause the 

 fruit to fall. Strawberries to be kept near the glass, and the pots to 

 stand on a warm bottom. Mushrooms must have a temperature of 

 55° to 65°, and the beds to be syringed frequently with tepid water ; 



