THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



Dec. spaces in his vegetable garden dug ; but the chances 

 are that if he has any leisure he will find many jobs to 

 do — Uttle embellishments and after-thoughts — attention 

 to which will improve the garden and provide interest- 

 ing occupation. 



Dec. 

 I-I5 



DECEMBER— First and Second Weeks 



Flowers 



Bulbs, — Early-flowering bulbs ought to be coming in 

 now, and will be found charming for tables. If there is 

 a warm greenhouse, the plants will grow rapidly and 

 flower freely. Attention to water- 

 ing will be well repaid. Be 

 careful that later bulbs do not 

 remain too long in the fibre. 

 If the top shoots get long and 

 weak, the flowering is affected 

 adversely. 



Begonias. — Winter Begonias 

 will be in full growth and bloom 

 where a temperature of 50° to 

 60° can be provided. Watering 

 will be necessary, but water 

 should not be carelessly spilled 

 about at this time of year, or 

 given at regular intervals, irre- 

 spective of the state of the soil. 

 Make sure that it is nearly dry 

 before giving water. 



Cactuses. — These quaint but 



brightly - coloured plants are 



mostly at rest in winter, but there is one notable 



exception, the Epiphyllum, which, although nominally 



392 



Fig. 94.— Grafting 

 Epiphyllums. 

 a. Graft. b. Stock. 



c. Graft duly fixed in the 



stock, and made secure. 



