378 TUE FLORIST. 



Forcing House. As the buds swell in the early Vinery gradually 

 increase the heat to 55° at night, and as they break to 60° : the day 

 temperature should range from 6° to 10° over the night. Keep a damp 

 heat the early stages, but as the Vines expand into leaf reduce this. A 

 gentle current of air should be given most days more or less, according 

 to the fineness of the weather. • 



Heaths and Epacrises. Air plentifully when admissible, giving it by 

 deorrees, and avoiding draught. The atmosphere should be now dry, 

 that is, as dry as you can keep it without fire, which should not be 

 allowed, except when the thermometer in the house is likely to fall 

 below 32°. Water wdth caution. Frequently turn round the best 

 specimens, and attack all appearance of mildew with sulphur. 



Kitchen Garden. Clean and trench up vacant ground, digging it two 

 feet deep, and leaving the surface either in ridges or very rough. Dung 

 should be applied to the surface previously, and regularly mixed with 

 the earth in digging. Attend to what crops are in the ground, and sow 

 the first early crop of Peas on a warm border at once, if you wish to 

 have them early, as well as a few Mazagan or Dwarf Fan Beans. A few 

 Radishes or Horn Carrot may likewise be sown in a very sheltered 

 place, covering the beds with litter till the seeds come up. Look after 

 mice, which are troublesome to these crops. Look over the root stores. 



Pansies. Those in pots must have plenty of hght and air ; the 

 lights should be taken quite off at every favourable opportunity. The 

 cuttings striking should not have much water, or they are liable to 

 damp off. 



Pelargoniums. Carry out instructions given in last number, and tie 

 out the branches, using small neat Willow sticks. In this operation 

 care should be taken to form a neat round bush. Commence by tying 

 out the side shoots, and distribute the other shoots at equal distances. 

 Water now but sparingly, taking care not to wet the foliage. 



Pines. Keep the main stock now dry at the root ; we suppose these 

 are at rest, or nearly so. A moderate temperature, say 58° by night 

 ^vith an increase of 10° or 15° in bright days, is only necessary. 

 Pines in dung frames must have the necessary heat maintained by fresh 

 applications of heated litter. The early fruiting plants thould now be 

 started ; gradually increase the top and bottom heat, and in a fortnight's 

 time give a little water ; this start will, in all probability, bring them 

 up by Christmas, or soon after. 



Boses. Those who have not yet taken our advice for last month 

 should not fail to do so during the present open weather, and plant 

 immediately. 



Stove. This department should now present a gay appearance with 

 Justicias, Epiphyllums, Begonias, Eranthemums, Bignonia venusta, 

 Gesneras, Euphorbia splendens, and various other \\anter flowering stove 

 plants. To maintain these in perfection keep the air of the house 

 moderately dry, with a temperature of 60° by night. Some kinds now at 

 rest, wanted to bloom, may be started, ready for potting on next month. 



Tulips. These being now safely under the soil, there will be but 

 httle labour for two or three months to come. The beds may be exposed 

 to any weather, mth the exception of very heavy rains. 



