30 THE FLORIST. 



moist, not wet— the flowers will last longer than in a dry atmosphere. 

 Maintain a temperature of about 45° by night, and from 55° to 60° 

 by day. The watering must be regularly attended to. Ventilate daily, 

 if possible, but avoid cold draughts. 



Cucumbers. — Plants in bearing will require considerable care and 

 skill for the next six weeks. Water occasionally with liquid manure. 

 Keep the glass clean, so that they may receive all the light possible at 

 this season. Pick off all the male blossoms. Maintain a moist atmo- 

 sphere. Ventilate daily, if possible, but avoid cold frosty draughts. 

 Keep a temperature of about 65° by night, and 70° to 75° by day, 

 with an increase by sun heat. Sow for a spring crop ; attend carefully 

 to the young plants as soon as they are " up." It is a good plan, at 

 this season, to sow the seeds singly in pots. 



Dahlias require much attention. Carefully examine the roots, par- 

 ticularly those from the open ground, to see they are not decaying at 

 the crown ; if they appear to be rotting downwards set them at work at 

 once in a gentle heat, that they may not be entirely lost. Roots from 

 those that have been grown in pots, or, as they are generally termed, 

 pot-roots, will keep sound longer than those from the ground, and are 

 consequently better adapted for exportation or transmission to a distance, 

 and if not required for use, to produce cuttings for the purpose of propa- 

 gation, make excellent early strong plants, by starting them in gentle 

 heat the beginning of April. 



Flower Garden.— In favourable weather forward all alterations that 

 are in progress, so as to get them completed before the busy time of 

 spring arrives ; this is a good time to make new walks, dig turf, and 

 plant edgings. Protect everything requiring it. Dig all beds and 

 borders, and let the soil remain in a rough state for the frost to act on 

 it. Sweep and roll when necessary. 



Forcing Hardy Shrubs.— Ventilate freely whenever the state of the 

 weather permits ; maintain a moist atmosphere, and keep a steady 

 bottom heat. Syringe in the forenoon on fine days. Introduce plenty 

 of Kalmias, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas, than which there is nothing 

 more beautiful ; also some Roses, and a few plants of Lilac, Weigela, 

 &c. Keep a temperature of about 50° by night in severe weather, 

 and 60° by day, with an increase by sun heat. 



Forcing Ground.— In severe frosty weather the linings will require 

 to be frequently attended to, otherwise the heat soon declines in hot- 

 beds. Make and plant fresh beds, to succeed those at present in use. 

 Put some roots of Mint and Tarragon into a little heat, to force. Sow 

 Mustard and Cress weekly. Make a slight hotbed and sow on it some 

 Early Horn Carrots and Radishes. 



Fruit (hardi/.)— Prune and regulate fruit trees generally. Prune 

 and nail wall-trees in favourable weather. Scrape moss, and thoroughly 

 clean the stems and branches of standard Pear and Apple-trees. Wheel 

 some manure, and spread it around the trees and fork it in. Plant in 

 mild weather. 



Greenhouse (hard-wooded plants.)— As the plants are For the most 

 part at a stand-still, the only attention necessary at present is in care- 

 fully ventilating, watering, and keeping the plants safe from irost. 



