372 



CALENDAR OF OPEKATIONS FOR NOVEMBER. 



«SfcC., and to see that the soil con- 

 tinues in an open healtliy state — 

 not water logged, nor moss-bound. 

 Whenever any of the plants start 

 into vigorous growth, as they 

 sometimes will do, and produce 

 branches which are liable to get 

 straggly and out of order, such 

 branches should be topped, and 

 the whole treatment should be 

 directed to maintain the plants 

 stocky, sturdy, and hardy through 

 the winter months. 



Geraniums are growing fast. If 

 any of the brandies are shooting 

 too freely pinch off the ends, and in 

 all cases regulate their shape a 

 little by checking them where they 

 are going out of form. 



New Holland Plants.— A\l the 

 hard - wooded plants which are 

 growing must be well examined, 

 to see that their drainage is clear, 

 and their soil moderately moist. 

 Water seldom, but effectively, and 

 when they have been all watered 

 shut them up from the air. 



Primula Sinensis, Chinese Prim- 

 roses. — The plants of this family 

 are now becoming gay, seedlings 

 are beginning to bloom, and even 



common things are permitted to 

 remain in the house, because tliey 

 are flowers at a time when other 

 flowers are scarce ; but they may 

 not be of sufficient merit to be 

 worth keeping after they have 

 done. The choice florist will, 

 however, preserve none but good 

 single ones, and propagate them. 

 A stock from choice well -grown 

 kinds is very interesting, and the 

 double ones are really beautiful 

 objects. These must have plenty 

 of water as they bloom, for they 

 absorb a good deal ; but want of 

 free draining soon settles them, 

 and they rot and die almost before 

 it is discovered. It is a common 

 thing to see these in forty -eight 

 sized pots ; but they can be grown 

 in one season from seed large 

 enough to fairly occupy a size 

 twenty-four, or even sixteen. 



Water. — Never depend on tanks 

 for rain water under the surface to 

 water plants with, unless it has 

 stood long enough to get the tem- 

 perature of the house. It chills 

 and does mischief much sooner 

 than is expected, and should always 

 be avoided if possible. 



