18 



CALENDAE FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



and have all the light obtainable. C. labiata 

 will now be flowering, and must on this account 

 be carefully attended to, both with regard to 

 water supply and destruction of insect pests. 

 Lcelia albida, L. anceps, L. autumnalis, and others 

 will now be displaying their flower-spikes. It is 

 not well to keep them too much on the dry side 

 till the flowers are expanded, or they will be 

 small. The atmosphere of the house in which 

 they flower should, however, be fairly dry, or 

 the flowers will be spotted. Coelogyne cristata 

 that are pushing up their sheaths must have 

 special care, as this is a critical time with them, 

 many of them turning black if too cold or too 

 moist. A temperature of from 50° to 55° at 

 night suits them well. Maxillaria picta, Masdeval- 

 lia tovarensis, Pleione JVallickiana, and P. humilis, 

 with some others, will be in flower, and they, 

 combined with Cypripediums, Oncidiums, and 

 Zygopetalums, will make a good display. Many 

 of the Odontoglossum family will be in vigorous 

 growth, and some will be sending up their 

 flower-spikes. These should not be neglected, 

 for at this season of the year, particularly if the 

 weather be mild and wet, snails creep into the 

 houses in numbers and soon devour the young 

 tender spikes. Introduce into heat batches of 

 Dendrobiums as soon as the flower -buds are 

 sufficiently developed, so that they may be had 

 in bloom early in the new year. The old Phaius 

 grandifolius is another useful orchid for cutting, 

 and if a good batch of this is grown, a succession 

 of flowers may be obtained by introducing the 

 plants into heat at various periods. 



Hothouse. — Much diligence must be exer- 

 cised in order to entirely free the plants from 

 all insect pests, during this and the ensuing 

 month. Where it has not already been done, 

 well wash the woodwork and all interior fittings 

 of the houses. Change the shingle or whatever 

 material the stages are covered with, or wash it 

 in boiling water, and, having done this, clean 

 all plants before they are rearranged. Winter- 

 flowering Begonias should have liberal treat- 

 ment, as should also those kept in small pots 

 for decorative purposes. All bulbs, such as 

 Gloxinias, Caladiums, Gesneras, &c, will now 

 be at rest, but a small collection of C. argy rites 

 may be started for early use. Pot on Ferns, 

 Palms, and Asparagus, and other plants for 

 foliage as they need it, in order that there may 

 be plenty when wanted for ornamentation. 



Forcing House. — Towards the end of the 

 month many of the early-flowering shrubs and 

 Roses, that were potted up with the view of hav- 

 ing them early in flower, may be introduced into 



heat. They should be started in a low tempera- 

 ture (from 50° to 55° Fahr.), and as the buds 

 swell, the heat may be increased, providing the 

 weather is mild enough to admit of free venti- 

 lation. Such shrubs as Spircea confusa, Thun- 

 bergia, Primus sinensis florepleno, Lilacs, Deutzias, 

 Clematis, Azaleas, Philadelphus, Viburnums, 

 Rhododendrons, and Roses, all force admirably if 

 the process is begun in gentle heat. To these 

 may be added such plants as Spiraea, Dielytra, 

 Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal), Lily of the Val- 

 ley, &c. Some of the most forward bulbs may 

 also be introduced, and these, together with 

 Callas and other winter-flowering plants, will 

 make a very varied display about Christmas. 



Greenhouse and Conservatory. — Very 

 few flowers will now be found out of doors, so 

 that more time and pains must be given to 

 making these houses gay. There should be 

 very little difficulty in achieving this, provided 

 the instructions previously given have been 

 carried out. Chrysanthemums, Abutilons, 

 Chinese Primulas, Pelargoniums, Epiphyllums, 

 Habrothamnus, Daphne, Early Roman Hya- 

 cinths, Narcissi, Ericas, Salvias, Cyclamens, 

 Tuberoses that have been grown in frames 

 during summer, and other winter - flowering 

 plants, should now be at their best, and if they 

 are effectively arranged will be very pleasing. 

 Summer- flowering Heaths and New Holland 

 plants should be kept as cool as possible. Ven- 

 tilate freely whenever the weather permits, and 

 if any mildew appears, at once dust the parts 

 affected with flour of sulphur. Water sparingly 

 when the weather is dull, and if possible do so 

 in the morning, so that the damp may evaporate 

 before night. 



Pits and Frames. 



These will now be occupied to the fullest 

 extent of their capabilities. Helleborus niger 

 (Christmas Rose) should be potted or planted 

 in them, if it is to provide a good supply of 

 flowers about Christmas. In moving these plants 

 get them up with as much soil as possible as 

 they do not like their roots disturbed. Bou- 

 vardias, to succeed those already in flower, should 

 have weak supplies of manure-water. Cinerarias, 

 whose flower-spikes are getting forward, and 

 others that have filled the pots with roots, will 

 need assistance in the same manner. Violets 

 will require a free circulation of air on all suit- 

 able occasions. 



Bulbs such as Freesias, Alliums, Lilium Harrisii, 

 Tritonias, Tulips, Crocuses, &c, should have all 

 the air possible to induce sturdy growth. Stake 



