22 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Greenhouse plants generally require more care during this month 

 than at any other period, watering only when necessary; and to give 

 enough requires practice how to ascertain this. With many plants the 

 mischief from bad watering is only seen after the season is advanced. 

 Chrysanthemums, when done flowering, are the better of protection 

 in a frame or pit, especially when early cuttings are wanted. They 

 may be put in a frame this month, and kept plunged and close till 

 signs of flagging are past ; then they should have plenty of air. Flow- 

 ering shrubs, bulbs, and other plants to make the show-house gay, may 

 be placed into heat (say 50° to 55°) every two or three weeks, to meet 

 the demand. Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and Primulas should be kept 

 near the glass till they come into flower. Those Cinerarias which are 

 flowering and have their pots full of roots, may have manure-water. 

 Camellias, Epacris, and Heaths now flowering may have more water 

 than those not flowering. Drainage and clean surfaces are very im- 

 portant to such plants. Change the atmosphere by applying a little 

 fire-heat to expel damp. In severe weather it is injurious to keep high 

 temperature by fire-heat ; 40° to 45° is safe. Keep foliage-plants free 

 from dust, and insects must have no footing on them. Climbers may 

 be kept within bounds : except those which are flowering, the most 

 of them will be about starting into growth. 



STOVE. 



Many plants will have finished blooming here for the season. They 

 may now be rested by having less water, and be kept cooler. Ges- 

 nerias. Gloxinias, and Achimenes may be put into pots or pans to be 

 started. As the month advances, some of the pot-bound plants to be 

 grown larger may be potted in preference to starving for want of root- 

 room j others may have their drainage put right, and be fresh surfaced. 

 Look to Caladiums, and see that they are not getting dust-dry, or suf- 

 fering from damp and cold. Thrips, scale, and bug must be stamped 

 out. Temperatures may be 55° to 60°. M. T. 



PEAS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



Of all the different kinds of vegetables grown none are greater and 

 more general favourites than Peas, The chief object which every 

 one aims at in their culture is to have them as early as possible, and 

 they can never be had too late in the autumn. In some exceptional 

 instances they are produced in pots early in spring, and by this means 

 they may be had some weeks or months earlier than in the open 

 air. But few have the accommodation to treat them in this way; 

 and as it is a practice never likely to become very general, details of 

 it need not be given here. A few notes, however, on their outdoor 

 culture throughout the season will no doubt be more acceptable. 



