HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. .' 19 



• Greenhouse. —Airing, watering, and keeping the tenants of this depart- 

 ment clear of insects is, of course, a constant object of attention; but each of 

 these require more tact and prudence than at any other season. I generally 

 keep ray house cooler than many ; and so my plants, not growing fast at this 

 season, do not require or receive much air. Those who have no stove, must 

 have flowers in their greenhouses, in which case the temperature will have to 

 be kept to 45° at least, and air will be required in proportion. Greater care 

 is, however, necessary in its admission, or mildew will be encouraged. One 

 of the best preventives against mildew is to accustom the plants to repeat- 

 ed syringings of cold water, which will render them less liable to checks from 

 sudden changes of temperature caused by the admission of air. In water- 

 ing, I have never been able to see much difference between the morning or 

 evening for that purpose. I water at this season mainly in the morning; I 

 find much advantage from keeping the atmosphere moderately moist by the 

 syringe whenever tjie temperature is moderately low, avoiding at all times 

 the ancient practice of " steaming," by pouring water on the pipes or flues. 

 In regard to insects, the best security against these savages is constant 

 watchfulness for their commencement ; a " stitch in time," is the maxim here. 

 The syringe against the plant laid on its side, will be generally effective ; 

 when they have escaped observation till they become established, the receipts 

 for their destruction given in former Calendars must be resorted to, Many 

 plants destined to form specimens may be potted this month; those with 

 small fibrous roots are better deferred a month later. In preparing soil for 

 composts two errois are frequently made — it is rendered too fine, and con- 

 tains too much vegetable matter. The first renders it liable to become hard 

 in the pot3 and impervious to moisture ; the other gives it a tendency to be- 

 come sodden and sour. The loam for potting should be turfy, the manure 

 half fermented and half dried, the sand rather sharp, and the vegetable mat- 

 ter well decayed, and never more than one-sixth in proportion to the rest, ex- 

 cept in a few instances, as Ferns, Lycopodiums, the Chinese Primrose, &c. 

 It is a very common recommendation to "mix composts" at this season; I 

 prefer to make up a soil at the time I want to use it, and to have it under 

 cover, dry, and convenient to hand. 



Specimens cannot be formed without judicious training and staking out, 

 and that must be began at once, if fine plants are required for next season. 

 A few things well grown are preferable to a whole "houseful" of weak, 

 crowded things. It is a good time to pot verbenas and petunias, intended 

 as specimens for fall exhibitions; but they must be kept near the glass, and 

 in the coolest part of the house, pinched in as they grow, and trained out as 

 above described — other soft-wooded greenhouse plants come under the same 



