CHAPTER XXIV 



Calendar of Operations 



January 



Plants should now be in bloom. Maintain an even night temperature of 

 about 50 to 52 degrees ; not exceeding 56 degrees on any variety. Day 

 temperature 65 to 70 degrees. Give air on all bright days. Don't hold the 

 houses too warm or create a close, steaming atmosphere. Watch watering 

 carefully ; the plants will now begin to need more water as the days lengthen 

 and the sun's rays become more powerful. Look out for sudden rises in 

 temperature in the houses on bright mornings. Take cuttings of late bloom- 

 ing varieties. Watch carefully for green fly, and especially red spider. 

 Fumigation with tobacco at this season is objectionable, as it ruins the 

 blooms ; preferably use XL-i\ll, or tobacco extract painted on the pipes twice 

 a week. Commence feeding the plants lightly with liquid manures, or 

 afl:'ord a light mulch of sheep manure about the middle of the month. 



February 



Plants are now having more active growth, and will need more water 

 and feeding as the days lengthen. As the season advances, green fly and red 

 spider should be more carefully watched for. Thrips will now begin to 

 develop. Propagation should be fully under way. Plants are now growing 

 and blooming freely. Increased ventilation should be given on bright days. 

 Cuttings taken in January should be rooted and ready for potting up. Use 

 a two-inch pot. A soil composed of about three parts yellow loam, one part 

 leaf mould, one part decayed stable manure, a dash of bone dust and one part 

 fibrous peat, makes a good potting soil. (See chapter on Soils.) This soil 

 should be thoroughly mixed and run through a coarse sieve. If the compost 

 has been prepared six months ahead, so much the better. Pot firmly, as 

 this soil will be very light. Cuttings potted in January will need a shift 

 about the middle or last of this month. Don't let young plants get potbound. 



March 



Propagation should still be in full force. Select all cuttings carefully 



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