MONTHLY CALENDAR. 677 



maximum power, water is profusely evaporated, — when they are weak, as 

 now, evaporation and elaboration are both slowly performed. Even a plant 

 in vigorous growth requires comparatively little water now, while those at 

 rest need scarcely any. It is of the utmost consequence also, that what is 

 necessaiy should be applied only where it is wanted. 



2126. In watering thirsty roots, see that the flowers and succulent leaves 

 are kept dry. This is a point of considerable importance at almost any 

 season ; at this, it is a question of life or death to many plants. Chinese 

 primroses, for instance, double or single, will speedily fog oflf and perish if the 

 needful water is poured into the centre, or permitted to trickle down wet leaves 

 to the same vulnerable point, — no less the centre of beauty than the seat of 

 danger. Other plants suffer in the same mannner, although few, perhaps, to 

 the same extent. The water given to plants should always be 5° or 10° higher 

 than the house in which they gi'ow. Never water a plant until it is dry, and 

 then water thoroughly. Eegulate the quantity given by the state of growth 

 and drinking capabilities of each plant. A chrysanthemum coming into flower 

 will require three times the quantity as a camellia in the same state. In one 

 word, it is absolutely necessary that consummate skill and iuteUigent reflec- 

 tion should determine the destination of the watering-pot instead of that 

 hydra-headed, plant-killing monster — water to-day to save the trouble to- 

 morrow — blind, unthinking, destructive routine. 



2127. Conservatory. — How beautiful it is all a-blaze with chrysanthemums, 

 scarlet salvias, geraniums, Chinese primroses, &c., and fragrant with the French- 

 man's darling giant mignonette. How beautifully chaste, and enchautingly 

 refreshing those few fern and begonia leaves are, contrasted with all this rich- 

 ness of colour. See how those white and light-coloured chr^'santhemums are 

 brought out by these Salvia splendens, and the golden yellow heightened by 

 those ageratums ? Yes, I see ; but the charm consists in the arrangement ; 

 and the best of it all is, that it is charrainrj, and that it is made so by means 

 that industry and sobriety bring within the reach of all. A year's self-denial 

 of beer and tobacco might build a conservatory — the ornamental adjunct of 

 every imdustrious artisan's home — and enable him to purchase this work into 

 the bargain, to instruct him how to keep it so all the year round. 



2128. This is pre-eminently the month when a conservatory is most needed. 

 "When vatter desolation reigns without, there is the more need for enthroning 

 the goddess of beauty within. This is comjDaratively easy even with the aid of 

 the few plants I have named. Chrysanthemums alone make a brilliant dis- 

 play. November is the reigning season of this Chinese belle. If not so 

 refined as some, it is the most strikingly efi'ective of all; even camellias 

 pale their beauty in their presence. Its cheapness, readiness of increase, 

 and simplicity of culture, also bring it within the reach of the poorest. 

 The choice of selection is well-nigh endless, and they have latterly been 

 divided into Large, Pompone, and Anemone-flowered varieties. The 

 following are good sorts, that cannot fail to give satisfaction. Those marked 

 thus '■• are the most expensive ; but they can, with a few exceptions, be sup- 



