DECEMBER. 297 



frame, let them be kept close for seven or ten days, and shaded 

 from bright sunshine, if such should occur during that time. After- 

 -•vards gradually admit air ; and if a mild and gentle shower should 

 offer itself, allow the plants the benefit of it, especially those that 

 may have had time to get established ; and in order that the latter 

 may be all together, each light should cover the same day's work. 

 Proceed in this way till all are potted. Look carefully after green- 

 fly, and the moment it appears, fumigate. 



Prepare now to place all the plants in winter quarters, plunging 

 the pots up to their rims in the material already in your frame. 

 Clean and stir the surface-soil as you progress, and stow all away 

 in good order, keeping the different sorts together, and the numbers 

 in rotation, in order that every variety may be seen at a glance. 

 From the present time, or say from the 1st of December, the amount 

 of moisture required will be very little. Whenever water is given, 

 use a small pot without a rose, so as not to wet the " grass ;" and 

 only water at such times when the air is so dry and bright that you 

 can allows the lights to be taken quite off, wdth a view to dry up the 

 superabundant moisture. Warm gentle showers are really needed 

 occasionally ; but a difficulty exists in getting rid of the moisture, 

 which hangs like morning dew on the grass for days together. 

 Give air on all favourable occasions; by persevering in this they 

 will endure a great amount of hard weather. Carnations and Pico- 

 tees are far from being tender. If easterly winds prevail, tilt the 

 lights cautiously on their western side ; when " rude Boreas" issues 

 from the north, prop up the lights some two or three inches on 

 their southern side. If a continuance of damp and wet obtain, keep 

 up the lights some inches at both ends, in order that a free current 

 of air may pass over the plants ; and upon all favourable occasions 

 remove the lights altogether. 



I never required glass erections, or houses with open sides, for 

 wintering my favourites in, or any other structure than a sound 

 frame ; nor has my success in wintering been moderate, although at 

 blooming time I occasionally get beaten. March is the most trying 

 time ; searching and drying winds then prevail, when the stock is 

 making a vigorous start ; the soil must then have attention to w^ater- 

 ing, for the fibres will be at work, and will require a due amount of 

 food. At this time more than at any other during the hard weather, 

 do I recommend the use of mats over the lights, to break the force 

 of high and parching winds ; during continued frosts their use may 

 be of advantao^e, but do not remove them should there be sunshine, 

 as a sudden thaw is highly injurious. On the matter of thorough 

 cleanliness I will not enlarge ; he who would neglect it, deserves to 

 suffer the ravages of mildew, spot, and vermin, which are ever ready 

 to seize so favourable an opening. 



I have thus hurriedly reviewed the winter season, and must here 

 conclude, by soliciting the practice pursued at potting and blooming 

 times by our eminent modern growers, the Messrs, Burroughes, 

 Matthews, May, Newhall, a word or two from whom will be highly 

 esteemed and prized by all. J. Edwards. 



VOL. III. NO. XXXVI. B B 



