JANUARY. 



29 



at no time are they so much appreciated as they are during the dull 

 winter months, when everything out of doors wears a cold and cheer- 

 less aspect. Keep plants in flower rather warm, say a night tempera- 

 ture of about 50°. Retard plants fur late blooming, the night tempera- 

 ture should not fall below 40°. Ventilate carefully whenever the state 

 of the weather permits. Water when necessary. 



Camellias. — Plants in bloom should have a temperature of from 45° 

 to 50° by night, and from 55° to 60° by day. Give them plenty of 

 water when they require it. Keep plants for late flowering cool. Give 

 air freely on all favourable occasions. 



Carnations and Picotees. — The soil intended to bloom these in 

 should be kept frequently turned and exposed to the action of the 

 weather, especially frost. The plants should be kept dry, and the dead 

 foliage cleaned off as required. 



Cinerarias — Many of these will have thrown up their flower-stems ; 

 look over and select a few of the fbrwardest, and place in an intermediate 

 house for early flowers. A few of the later plants may yet be repotted fol- 

 iate flowering. Look over and remove all decaying leaves, and sulphur 

 such as are affected by mildew. Fumigating now and then is necessary, 

 to prevent green-fly. Thin out all small shoots and leaves of specimen 

 plants, and peg down or tie out the stronger, to throw out the middle 

 as much as possible. Keep as near the glass as possible, to prevent 

 their drawing. It is advisable, where large plants are required, to stop 

 them once or twice, which will make the head of flower more dense. 



Cold Frames. — After the late fine autumn everything here should 

 be in a state of perfect rest. Give little or no water during the month, 

 if possible ; take advantage of every favourable opportunity to give all 

 the air possible. Take care to have everything well covered up in 

 frosty weather. 



Conservatory and Show-housed — As very little fire heat has been 

 required here up to the present time, and the weather during the 

 autumn just passed has been everything we could wish for, plants 

 ought now to be in good condition ; they should show, not present 

 growth, but the season's growth thoroughly matured ; if, in this state 

 we may confidently look forward for a brilliant display of bloom the 

 coming season. Camellias, Acacias, and other plants in flower, or 

 advancing into bloom, will require to be attended to in watering. 

 Tulips, Hyacinths, and other bulbs, also forced shrubs, should be placed 

 at the warmest end of the house ; Heaths, Epacrises, and other hard- 

 wooded plants in flower, should be placed at the coolest end. The 

 Amaryllis is a charming tribe, and with a little management easily got 

 to flower at this season. The Luculia gratissima is a beautiful thing 

 for the conservatory ; it should be grown at the warmest end of the 

 house. Epiphyllums, Bletias, Justicias, Euphorbias, Poinsettias, and 

 other stove plants, should be kept at the warmest end. Introduce a 

 good many Primulas, some Cinerarias, a few pots of Mignonette, 

 Violet, and Lily of the Valley. Endeavour to have as many flowers as 

 possible. Have everything staged to the best advantage, and keep 

 every plant and place scrupulously clean and neat. If frosty weather 

 makes much fire heat necessary, take care to keep the atmosphere 



