288 MISCELLANY OF NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 



tissima is the finest ornament for the greenhouse and conservatory, now and 

 through the winter. 



The plants of the Cactus that have been kept in the open air (luring the 

 sunnier may be brought to bloom successively by taking such as are desired to 

 bloom immediately into the heat of a forcing pine-house. Other plants, to bloom 

 afterwards, should be kept in a greenhouse protected from the frost. Any shoots 

 still growing, break off the end to check it. 



Plants of the Calceolaria that have been grown in the open borders during the 

 summer mouths, and now taken up and potted, should be kept in a cool frame, 

 or cool part of the greenhouse, being caieful not to give too much water: just 

 sufficient to keep the soil moist will only be necessary. Offsets will be found 

 rooted; take them off and pot them. 



Dutch, bulbs, &c, may be successfully planted this month. See articles on 

 best mode of the culture of each, in former numbers of the Cabinet. Many 

 persons who take a delight in growing some showy Hyacinths or other bulbous 

 plants for adorning a [room or window, &c, in winter or early in spring, have 

 been frequently disappointed by the abortiveness of some and weakness of others. 

 This principally arises from the inability of the plant to develop itself with a 

 rapidity equal to the quantity of moisture it imbibes, on account of its upper 

 surface being acted upon too immediately by the atmosphere, &c. ; hence arises 

 the necessity of covering the bulb. That such is a fact is evidenced by the 

 admirable and certain success of nearly every bulb, especially Hyacinths, that 

 is covered with about six inches of old spent bark. This or some similar light 

 material should always be used. Even bulbs intended to bloom in glasses wo 

 prefer starting in the old bark, and then transferring them to the glasses when 

 the shoots are about two inches long. Wl ere such covering is not adopted, it 

 is of advantage to have the pots or glasses kept in a dark place till the shoots 

 are two or three inches long. 



Plants of some of the Chrysanthemums that are grown in pots and taken into 

 the greenhouse will be found to have pushed a number of suckers. If the offsets 

 are wanted for the increase of the kind, it is advisable to pinch off the tops, so 

 as to prevent their exhausting the plant, to the weakening of the flower. If the 

 flower-buds are thinned out freely, it conduces to the increased size of those left. 

 If the offsets are not wanted, it is best to pull up the suckers entire. Attention 

 will be required to watering, as the roots absorb much, if given ; give manure 

 water occasionally. If the plant is allowed to wither, it checks the flowers, 

 whether in bud or expanded. So much do we admire this handsome genus of 

 flowers, that we are fully persuaded their beautiful blossoms, exhibited in form 

 and colour, will most amply repay for any labour that may be bestowed on the 

 plants. 



Dahlia seeds are best retained in the heads as grown, spread singly where 

 they will not be liable to mould, and kept in a dry but not too hot a situation ; 

 being thus kept in the chaff, the small seeds will not shrivel, but be kept plump. 

 The roots must be dried well before being put away, or will be liable to rot. 



Fuchsias and greenhouse plants, intended to be inured to the open air, will 

 require to have protection at the roots, and probably, for the first winter, over the 

 tops too, by furze-branches, canvas, wicker baskets, &c. 



Shrubs, deciduous or evergreen, may r.ow be successfully planted. If in ex- 

 posed situations, they should be secured to stakes. 



Herbaceous border plants may still be divided and replanted. 

 Straw or reed hurd es ought now to be prepared for covering frames, &c, in 

 the depth of winter. 



Achimenes, withhold water from, till February. 



Shrubs, §~c, Winter bloom. — Such as are to bloom early should be prepared 

 gradually, potted (if required), and be introduced into the house, pit, &c. : such 

 as Roses, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, Azaleas, Persian Lilacs, Carnations, Pinks, 

 Rhododendrons, Ribes, Aconites, Cinerarias, Sweet Violets, Hyacinths, Lily of 

 the Valley, Mignonette, Primroses, Stocks, Persian Iris, Crocus, Cyclamens, 

 Rhodoras, Correas, Deutzias, Mezereums, Gardenias, Heliotropes, Scarlet Pelar- 

 goniums, Cactuses, Eranthemum (the blue), Justitia, Gesnerias, Narcissus, 

 Tulips, &c. 



