MONTHLY CALENDAK. Ob'9 



is cut off, and insures, if the plants are clean when brought from their summer 

 quarters, perfect freedom from insects throughout the winter. 



1795. Stove. — To a certain extent all that has been said about compara- 

 tive dryness in connection with the conservatory is equally applicable here. 

 However, the higher temperature maintained, and the difference in the nature 

 of the plants occupying this structure, render a gi-eater amount of moisture 

 necessaiy ; but an autumn — and neither a spring nor summer — temperature 

 must be maintained. Plants with succulent leaves must also be gradually 

 inured to as much sunlight as they will bear. This, while it will injure the 

 appearance of some variegated and fine-foliaged plants, will improve others. 

 Some of the caladiums, such as pictum, Newmanii, and bicolor, assume the 

 most vivid hues when fully exposed to the light. Others, such as argyrites, 

 Belleymei, look most beautiful and delicate when considerably shaded. 

 It is best for the strength and vigour of the roots of all caladiums to have 

 their leaves fully exposed to the sun and gradually matured in the autumn. This 

 process must, however, go on gradually, and the greatest care must be exer- 

 cised in getting a plant like Cyanaphyllum magnificum, for instance, in full 

 vigour, to bear the full blaze of an autumnal sun with impunity. The smallest 

 drop of condensed water on such a leaf, or on almost any begonia leaf, will 

 in half an hour do irreparable damage. The heating rays of the sun con- 

 vert each drop into a burning lens, which quickly parboils the delicate texture 

 of their leaves. Caladiums are not so often injured in this way, as their com- 

 position and structure seem specially adapted for throwing drops of water off 

 their surface. Clerodendrons, poinsettias, justicias, euphorbias, begonias, &c., 

 must be grown on freely for winter-flowering. 



1796. Stephanotis, passion-flowers, jasmines, &c,, on the roof, must be 

 carefully trained, cleaned, and regulated. Allamandas often make a splendid 

 display when trained as semi-climbers on the roof of a stove. The new violacea 

 would look well near to the cathartica or other varieties. Achimenes and 

 other plants, suspended from the roof in elegant wire baskets, have a charming 

 effect among climbers, and make the roof at least as showy as either shelf or 

 bed. These plants, with gloxinias and Gesneras, will also make a splendid 

 display here during the month. A proper arrangement of flowering and 

 variegated begonias, intermixed with marantas, musas, palms, ferns, cala- 

 diums, and a few other fine-foliaged and flowering plants, will give the 

 house an air of oriental grandeur and magnificence such as our fathers could 

 never have conceived. 



1797. Orchid-House.— More light and air, and less water, must be the rule 

 here. However, those plants that are in full growth must not be stinted by 

 any means, as the natural growing season of most orchids is the rainy 

 season ; the season when it rains and rains every day and night, for perhaps 

 six weeks, without ceasing. Eapid growth, long seasons of perfect repose, 

 and sudden excitement, seem to be the chief essentials to successful orchid 

 culture. 



1798. All camelUas, azaleas, epacrises, heaths, &c., should eitlier be potted 



