264 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



FLOR1CULTURAL CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER. 



All greenhouse plants should have a free supply of air admitted, except when 

 it is frosty. The plants should not be watered in the evening, but in the early 

 part of the day, so that the damps may be dried up before the house is closed, as 

 they are, during the night, prejudicial to the plants. The soil in the pots should 

 frequently be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very 

 compact state. 



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

 summer 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. 



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

 summer months should now be taken up and potted, afterwards kept in a cool 

 frame, or cool part of the greenhouse, being careful 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. 



Chinese Primrosts that have been grown in the opeu borders will require to 

 be taken up. 



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

 best modes 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 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 sur- 

 face 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 we 

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

 the shoots are about two inches long. Where 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 seed is 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 wiil now require taking up, if not done last mouth. 



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, canvass, wicker baskets, &c. 



Tubers of Commellinas, and bulbs of Tigridias, should be taken up and 

 preserved dry through winter. 



Shrubs, deciduous or evergreen, may now be successfully planted. If in 

 exposed situations they should be secured to stakes. 



Herbaceous border plants may still be divided and re-planted. 



Roses, Persian Lilacs, &c, for forcing, should now be gently forwarded, if 

 required for bloom by Christmas. Straw or reed hurdles ought now to be prepared 

 for covering frames, &c, in the depth of winter. 



