24 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



REFERENCE TO PLATE. 



Levick's Beauty of Sheffield. — This very handsome and most profuse 

 blooming Dahlia was raised from seed in 1832, by that most successful culti- 

 vator and raiser of this King of flowers, Mr. Levick, of Sheffield. We saw 

 a number of the plants beautifully in blossom last August. It grows from 

 two to three feet high. 



MONTHLY FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR JANUARY. 



Dahlias. — When it is desired to propagate extensively any particular sort 

 of Dahlia, the root should be excited by being placed in a hot-bed frame or 

 a hothouse, by the middle of the month, or even earlier where practicable. 

 Dahlia seeds may also be sown by the end of the month ; the best method to 

 adopt, is to sow the seeds in pots, place them in moist heat till the plants are 

 up, and then gradually inure them to the greenhouse temperature. 



Directions for the Plant Stove. — This department very often contains 

 plants of a large size, handsome flowering, &c. As the houses are constructed 

 on a variety of principles, the inmates of course require different modes of 

 treatment. Some cultivators grow the plants plunged iu tan, others on stages 

 or shelves. Some houses are heated by means of fire flues, others by steam 

 or hot water. In all cases, however, the temperature should be kept from 60 

 to 65 degrees by night, and from 70 to 75 by day, during this month. The 

 surface of the pots should frequently be disturbed by means of a flat peg. 

 All filth that may accumulate or gangrene on the top of the pots must be 

 cleaned oft' as soon as perceived, and some fresh soil be given if required. 

 Upon attention to these particulars in a great measure depends the healthi- 

 ness of exotic plants. Wateriug should be carefully and duly attended to, 

 never suffering the plants to droop for waut of it. If the plants are plunged 

 in tan, they will require less water than when placed on a stage, for if too 

 much be given the plants will rot. Care must be taken not to water the tan 

 in the least degree, or it will be an encouragement for worms, and these gain- 

 ing admission into the pots, are very injurious to the plants. If any plants 

 be infested with the mealy bug, white or brown scale, let them be washed with 

 a weak infusion of sulphur and tobacco, and after applying it, be instantly 

 removed, and be well syringed with clear water of the same temperature as 

 the house. When air has been given duriug the day, let the house be closed 

 early in the afternoon, whilst a portion of the warm air remains. 



Directions for the Green-hocse. — Very variously constructed are the 

 buildings in this department, but the best mode of heating them is by means 

 of fire flues, as the least damp is very hurtful to the plants. The tempera- 

 ture should be regulated by the outward atmosphere, air being given at all 

 times when mild, in order to keep the plants from being drawn ; even in severe 

 weather, admit a little air in the middle of the day, particularly after the 

 house has been heated during the night. At night the front sashes should be 

 covered with mats to exclude the cold air, and when frosty, or very foggy and 

 damp, fire heat must be applied, keeping the heat from 43 to 48 degrees. 

 Watering duriug the month must be very carefully performed, none being 

 watered but what necessarilyrequire it, taking care, however, not to allow any 

 to droop. The same attention to cleanliness must be given as directed for 

 the stove plants. 



Plants in Frames. — These require air at all times in dry weather, unless 

 in intense frost, when the lights must be covered with mats and long litter; 

 but if the nights be mild, the lights alone will be sufficient protection. Water 

 must be given very sparingly. All appearance of mould or rottenness must 

 be instantly removed. Bulbs that have been put in pots, may this month be 

 removed to the stove, be regularly watered, and tied to suitable sticks as the 

 flower-stems push forth. 



The Flower garden requires little or no attention this month, excepting that 

 Tree Pceonies and other gross plants should be protected from frost by means 

 of mats. F. F. Ashford. 



Dec. 13/A. 



ridge, printer, Sheffield. 



