366 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



of sustenance to keep them in health. In conjunction with air- 

 giving, I may say a few words on early closing, for this is highly 

 desirable, as the solar heat so enclosed is more congenial'not only to 

 the health but to the wants of the plants, as the fact of its being 

 naturally supplied must convince every one. From the time these 

 notes come to the hands of the reader, until the end of next March, 

 all plant-houses should be closed at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

 This will shut in a great deal of natural warmth, which is liberally 

 generated in the house during the day, and will tend materially to 

 reduce the necessity of fire-heat should frost set in. 



On the subject of watering of greenhouse plants during winter, a 

 young friend has recently written to me in the following strain: " I 

 have a small house, chiefly of pelargoniums. I read that during 

 frosty weather greenhouse plants should not be watered. Is this 

 correct ? " Now as the reply I gave to that note will explain all 

 that I think it needful to say on the subject of watering here, I shall 

 give it at full length : " Never mind about what you have somewhere 

 read that greenhouse plants should not be watered in frosty weather, 

 or you will have to regret doing so, because as such w r eather is often 

 attended with a good deal of sunshine, as well as the extra fire-heat 

 which is necessary, and which tends greatly to dry up the soil in the 

 pots, they actually require more water than in dull cloudy weather ; 

 but do not give more than is just necessary to keep them from 

 flagging, as you must not encourage them to make any growth under 

 such conditions. Look over the plants every other day, but never 

 give water to a plant at this season unless it wants it ; what water- 

 ing you do, do it before 10 a.m., and if there is a nice mild air, give 

 plenty of it, to dry up any water that may be spilt upon the shelves 

 or floor of the house. But if the air should be too keen and sharp, 

 light a little fire, and open the top ventilators, that there may be no 

 damp hanging about the house at the approach of night." 



HINTS ON CHEISTMAS DECOEATIONS. 



PAYING been many times concerned in the direction and 

 preparation of floral displays at Christmas, it has occurred 

 to me that a few practical observations may be useful 

 to our readers. The materials available at the present 

 time are few, if we keep strictly to the use of natural 

 objects, but we may augment them by means of suitable additions 

 of an artificial character. I once had the assistance of some ladies 

 who were expert and tasteful in the making of paper flowers, and by 

 their kind help, a brilliant display of paper Chrysanthemums set in 

 the midst of evergreens was the result. But I leave thin part of the 

 subject to others, and shall make remarks only upon such materials 

 as the garden and greenhouse will supply. 



Christmas decorations should be prepared with a view to their 

 being effective by gaslight. Hence, elaborate colouring ia less 



