568 Horticultural Operations for December. 



Strawberries in pots, for forcing, should now have the protection of an 

 old frame, till ready for removal to the house. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



The month of December is one of the least activity in this department. 

 Everything in readiness for winter, the industrious gardener has little else 

 to do but to keep all indoors neat and in the best order ; potting off newly 

 propagated stock ; shifting all that need larger pots ; top dressing others, and 

 staking up all ill formed or straggling plants. This is the month to do all 

 such labor, for, with the advent of the New Year, there is a rapid accumu- 

 lation of work, which leaves but little leisure compared with the present 

 season. 



Camellias will now be coming into full bloom ; keep the plants well 

 watered, and syringe the leaves in all good weather. Grafting may be 

 commenced the last of the month. 



Heaths will need attention: keep them in the coolest part of the house, 

 where they can have an abundance of fresh air, and water liberally, espec- 

 ially such as are coming into bloom soon. Epacrises will need the same 

 treatment, excepting that they will bear more heat than the heaths without 

 any injury. 



Azaleas should be rather sparingly watered this month. 



OxALis BowiEi, &c., done blooming, may be placed away under the 

 stage on a dry shelf. 



Chrysanthemums done flowering, may have the tops cut off and the 

 plants removed to a cold frame, where they can be protected with a light 

 covering of leaves. 



Pelargoniums will now begin to require more attention ; all the speci- 

 men plants may now have a shift into larger pots ; topping all the vigorous 

 shoots, in order to have compact bushy specimens. Plants raised from cut- 

 tings may also have a shift now into the next size. 



Cinerarias should have attention ; guard against the green fly, and fu- 

 migate the moment they appear upon the plants. Vigorous growing speci- 

 mens will now need a shift into larger pots. 



Verbenas struck from cuttings in September or October, should now be 

 potted. 



Chinese Primroses may be shifted if they require it. 



Japan Lilies intended for flowering in tlie house, should be kept in a 

 cool frame, covered with leaves. 



Hyacinths, Tulips, and other bulbs, for early flowering, should now 

 be potted, and put away in a cool place, till well rooted in January, when 

 they may be brought into a warm parlor or the greenhouse. 



Pansies raised from seeds in September, may now be potted off and 

 brought forward for early blooming. 



Callas may be shifted now into larger pots. 



Plants of all kinds should be looked over, and such as need it be re- 

 potted. Stake, tie up, and put in good order, everything throughout the 

 house. Fumigate often for the aphis, and kill the red spider with sulphur. 



