82 THE CAUXATTOy MANUAL. 



they damjD off. Never, during the winter, let them 

 get wet overhead, as there is very Httle chance of 

 drying the grass for some time, and, as a conse- 

 quence, spot makes its appearance. The beginner, 

 therefore, should try and hit the happy medium, 

 and, if he takes a real interest in his plants, he will 

 soon learn what are their different requirements. 



Severe frost I guard against in the earlier 

 winter months by covering the frames with mats ; 

 but by the time the pots are full of roots I do 

 not find it does much harm ; but even then I think 

 " prevention easier than cure," and act accordingly. 



In the month of December (generally the 26th), 

 I get together the potting compost in a dry 

 shed ; and make it up as follows, viz., three-fourths 

 good bro^vn loam, and one-fourth leaf-mould, road- 

 grit and cow-manure in equal proportions. I do 

 not use much manure, and do not advocate it, 

 because I consider that if the loam be " maiden," 

 it is quite strong enough; and what feeding is 

 required I do later on, as Avill be presently 

 described. Last year I used in my soil some- 

 thing like two barrow-loads of fresh broken 

 oyster-shells, and consider it had such a beneficial 

 effect on the blooms that I am using it again this 

 year. The compost is turned over at intervals 

 until each ingredient is thoroughly incorporated 

 one with the other. 



On the 1st February, if the weather is not 



