WORK liN THE GREENHOUSE. 



THE principal work the coming 

 month is to guard against frost. 

 There will be much dull weather, 

 and the fires must be kept up to 

 do the work of the sun as far as possi- 

 ble. When it can possibly be done, air 

 should be given, a little at least every 

 day. I^t your plants grow slowly ; 

 don't attempt to force them too fast or 

 the growth will be weak and inferior. 

 Great care should be exercised in water- 

 ing. It is best generally not to use the 

 hose at this season, but to go over the 

 plants with a watering pot and water 

 when the earth appears dry. Sub irriga- 

 tion is, of course, the best for most 

 crops. 



Should the green fly appear, apply 

 tobacco, either the liquid or by fumiga- 

 tion. After a spell of dull weather, 

 when the hose has been withheld, the 

 red spider will sometimes get a hold. 

 When a bright day comes, thoroughly 

 wet the walks, which the sun's rays will 

 cause to steam ; this moisture is sure 

 death to the mites. If you heat by 

 steam, fill your house when the sun 

 begins to shine and the effect will be to 

 destroy every red spider. 



Look over the bulbs that were potted 

 in November and December, such as 

 tulips, hyacinths, lilies, etc. Those that 

 have filled the pots with roots may be 

 brought in. Put them at first in the 

 coldest part of the house, where the 

 temperature will not go above 45° if 

 possible. After a week, and the foliage 



has taken its green color, heat may be 

 increased until the night temperature is 

 65°. Water as much as the plants 

 require. If care is taken for a few 

 weeks their abundant bloom will amply 

 repay us. At this time of the year 

 dealers often offer bulbs at very low 

 prices. My advice is not to buy them ; 

 their vitality is dried up and it will cost 

 you more to restore them, adding your 

 time, than you can sell the flowers for. 



It is high time plants were under way 

 for Easter. Lilies should be above the 

 pot. Dormant roses can be flowered in 

 pots. Geraniums should have a shift 

 and be given more room ; they will 

 make fine plants for Easter. 



All kinds of bedding plants can now 

 be propagated. Protect the cuttings 

 from the sun. Keep your plants grow- 

 ing. As fast as " slips " appear, propa- 

 gate them. 



Seeds of petunia, pansie, holly- 

 hock, canna, marguerite, carnation, 

 tuberous begonia, centaurea gymno- 

 carpa, coleus, dahlia, heliotrope, lobelia 

 and vinca should be started soon. 



If your cuttings damp off, it is gener- 

 ally because of a fungous disease that 

 often is found in beds that have been 

 used. After a batch of cuttings has 

 been taken out, water the bed with an 

 ammoniacal mixture made as follows : 

 Carbonate of copper, 5 oz. ; ammonia 

 (26°), 3 pints ; water, 45 gallons.— W. 

 F. Gale, in Amer. Agric. 



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