DECEMBER. 377 



awarded to Mr. James Stapleton, of Stamford Hill, for Themis, Queen 

 of England, Beauty, Rosa Mystica, Nonpareil, and Dupont de I'Eure. 

 ]Mr. ]Monk was sec nd, and Mr. Jas. Carter third. 



"What spare room there was — and the plants and flowers were some- 

 what crowded — was fully occupied with delighted visitors, and»we con- 

 gratulate the management of the Society on the successful issue of its 

 labours. 



CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH. 



Au7-iculas. Very little water and plenty of air will be the principal 

 pjints to attend to this month, beyond keeping the plants clean both of 

 dead foliage and green fly. If the soil becomes green on the surface it 

 should be loosened, but not so deep as to disturb the roots. Should we 

 get severe frosts a slight covering will be necessary at night. 



Carnations and Picotees. Keep the pits or frames containing these 

 plants as open as possible. If they have only lights over them without 

 protection at the sides till Christmas so much the better. The plants 

 will require water but very seldom, there being sufficient moisture in 

 the atmosphere at this season. Too much moisture and not sufficient 

 air is sure to be injurious ; the spot will be the result of such treatment. 

 The plants wid now require looking over, cutting away all decayed 

 foliage. 



Cinerarias. Give those plants intended for early flowerincr, or for 

 the ]\Iay exhibitions, their final repotting ; these should have plenty of 

 room ; the side shoots should be tied or pegged out as soon as long 

 enough. Never use more heat than sufficient to keep frost out of the 

 pit or house. 



Cucumbers. Attend to our last directions. Sow seed for the early 

 spring crop towards the end of the month ; at this season they do best 

 sowTi in single pots, to avoid the risk of transplanting. 



(Jonservatori/. This should be kept as gay as possible with Chrysan- 

 themums, Epiphyllums, Salvias, Linum trigynum, kc. Towards the 

 end of the month, the early started Roman Narcissus, Hyacinths, 

 and Tulips, will be in readiness to help. Avoid keeping much fire at 

 this season ; a moderately dry heat, just excluding frost, will be suffi- 

 cient. Water, ka., in the morning, for the house to become dry by the 

 middle of the day. 



Dahlias. Examine the roots of choice kinds occasionally, to see they 

 are not rotting at the stem ; if so it will be best to cut away the part 

 affected, and to dry the root, if at all damp. ^Much depends, however, 

 on the convenience at command for wintering them ; under the stage of 

 a greenhouse is most general, but here it is often too damp. Neither 

 should they be placed in a situation that is too airy, as many kinds will 

 dry up. They must ite placed beyond the reach of frost. Seed will 

 keep best in the chaff after it is thoroughly dried. 



Flower Garden and Shrubberf/. All that can be done here will be 

 to protect anything left in the ground from frost, and to preserve neatness 

 and order. Planting deciduous trees and shrubs may be done in mild 

 w^eather. 



