300 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 



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 must not be watered oveihead. Luculia gratissima 

 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 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 been grown in the open borders during the 

 summer months, and now taken up and potted, should be 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. 



Dutch bulbs, &c, may yet be successfully planted. 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 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 offset 

 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 conduce* 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. If seed be desired, retain the blooming stems on the plants, and keep 

 them for some time in an airy warm situation to perfect. 



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 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, canvass, wicker-baskets, &c. 



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



Roses, Persian Lilacs, &c, Honeysuckles, Rhodoras, Deutzias, Ribes, Meze- 

 reums, Correas, Gardenias. Lily of the Valley, Cinerarias, Sweet Violets, Cycla- 

 mens, Hepaiicas, &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, iu the depth of winter. 





