MOXTHLT calendah. 415 



Avoid crowding ; encourage variety and harmonious contrast in colour ; 

 remove all decayed or decaying blossom, and guard against insects of all 

 kinds by cleanliness and timely fumigation. Eegulate the luxurious growth 

 of creepers and border-plants, watering copiously, occasionally using liquid 

 manure. 



1235. Ventilation is now of the utmost importance. Air should be 

 admitted night and day, except in cold gloomy weather, and shading from 

 the burning sun attended to for an hour or two daily. 



1236. Large orange-trees gro^frn for the flower-garden or grounds during the 

 summer months may now be moved to the places they are to occupy. If they 

 have been kept cool and airy, they will not have commenced their new growth, 

 which should not take place till they are out of doors. Examine the roots tO' 

 see that the drainage is perfect, and that in watering the water passes freely- 

 through the ball. They should have a free sunny exposure, but protected 

 from high winds. Keep a damp growing heat to camellias and azaleas making, 

 wood : the latter are very liable to become infested with thrips, which can 

 only be kept down by fumigating with tobacco alternate nights for a week, 

 and syringing at the same time with diluted tobacco-water, until the appear- 

 ance of the pest is gone. The utmost vigilance will now be required in. 

 keeping the more choice plants in a healthy growing state, and at the same- 

 time preserving the proper uniformity of growth to insure perfect and well- 

 bloomed specimens. The precise time when the active growth should cease,, 

 and its energies be directed to maturing the current year's wood, can scarcely 

 be laid down as a rule — the habit of the plant must be taken into consideration.. 

 It will, however, be safer, in general, to get the wood of delicate plants espe- 

 cially ripened early ; for though they may not get to be such large plants, they 

 will be better able to resist the attacks of mildew in the ensuing winter, and 

 the disposition to form bloom-buds is always greater in plants ripening their 

 wood early. Young plants growing into specimens, and where for a year or 

 two bloom is no object, may, after their fii'st growth is over, and being allowed 

 a month's rest (during which time keep them rather dry), be started intO' 

 growth again, giving them a larger pot, if such is necessary, and paying the 

 same attention to the second growth, by stopping, training, &c., as directed 

 for plants in general. Orchids will now be making free growth, and as solar- 

 light and heat are approaching the maximum point, an atmosphere humid in 

 proportion must be maintained. The paths, walls, &c., should be frequently 

 damped on bi'ight days, and the plants gently dewed over once or twice daily. 

 Air may now be given more liberally, moderating its admission, however, so 

 as to prevent strong currents of air blowing on the plants. 



1237. Chorozemas are a most interesting genus of plants from Australia, which 

 bloom almost the whole year, more especially in the winter and early spring, 

 and are consequently most acceptable additions to our greenhouses and conserva- 

 tories. They are not very difficult to manage, and are alike useful for decoi-a- 

 tion and as cut flowers for bouquets, at a time when such flowers are valuable. 

 They delight in a rich turfy peat, mixed with fibrous loam and leaf-mould and 



