HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 341 



s hould not be much encouraged at this season ; plants will consequently not 

 require much air, the main object for its admission being to keep down the 

 temperature on sunny weather, and to guard against damp. Those plants 

 which will grow, as Pelargoniums, Cinerarias, Heliotrope, Chinese Primroses, 

 and many plants required for winter or spring blooming, should have all the 

 light possible, and would, be benefitted by the application of manure water 

 once a week. Guano water is as good as any thing; a half pint to about 10 

 gallons of water. The sweepings of the fowl or poultry house is nearly as 

 good, in about the same proportions is Correas, Bpacrises, Pimelias, and a 

 host of ornamental plants will now be Coming into blossom, cheering their 

 possessors during many an otherwise dreary hour during the wintry season, 

 and rewarding a thousand fold by their freshness' and beauty the outlay they 

 may have occasioned, or the trouble they have given to those who have 

 loved and protected them. 



Hot House. — The most 'critical "season to these plants is fast approach- 

 ing. A very common error, especially in houses heated by smoke flues, is 

 to keep the temperature too high. Unless the house be heated by hot 

 water, a temperature of 55° will do perfectly well. The absorbent proper- 

 ty of heated bricks in flues is so great, that the excessive waterings neces- 

 sary to replace the moisture they absorb is more injurious to the plants 

 than a moderately low temperature. In a house heated by hot" water, a 

 temperature of 65° may be maintained with advantage. The house will be 

 very gay with Habrothumnus, Cestrums, Begonias, Pentas, Plumbagos, 

 and so on, and the syringe must be kept in daily requisition. It is highly 

 advantageous to put a little sulphur, lime water, or soft soap into the syring- 

 ing water occasionally ; as the red spider, mealy bug, or scale, respectively 

 may make their appearance ; this, with a vigorous use of one's eyes and 

 fingers at times will keep them pretty well in check. Orchideae, those of 

 them which bloom on finishing their growths, will begin to add considerably 

 to the attractions of the hot house. As any come into flower they should 

 have less water at each time, but be watered more frequently than they have 

 been accustomed too ; a very slight "dewing" with the syringe is all that is 

 required. Heavy waterings and high temperature together destroy more 

 orchids than many would dream of. Still atmospheric moisture must be re- 

 tained for them in any case. 



Vegetable Garden. — As in the Flower Garden, so here the season 

 calls attention to the improvement of the, soil. Draining and trenching are 

 two of the most important operations. In performing the latter the soil 

 need be only loosened to the depth of two or three feet, with manure mixed 

 well through it. Fine gardens are frequently rendered barren for years by 



