20 



CALENDAR FOR THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 



of the greatest obstacles with which a gardener 

 has to contend in the case of Conservatories 

 adjoining a dwelling-house is the frequent open- 

 ing and shutting of doors at this period of the 

 year, where there is a passage through from one 

 to the other. Too much care cannot be exer- 

 cised in this case when the air externally is a 

 number of degrees below that of the house. 

 Plants suffer more from a sudden draught and 

 cutting winds than from a persistent low tem- 

 perature. It is far preferable to have a porch 

 and double doors to such places in order that 

 the outer doors may be closed before the inner 

 are opened. These structures should also have 

 sufficient hot-water pipes to keep them at the 

 requisite temperature without the necessity of 

 heating them to such an extent as to cause a 

 drying atmosphere. Nothing is more unpleasant 

 than the smell of over-heated pipes. They have 

 also a very injurious effect on the plants. Venti- 

 late cautiously when frosty winds are prevalent, 

 and see that the plants are not subjected to 

 cold draughts. 



Forcing House. — Continue to introduce 

 plants into heat as may be necessary to keep up 

 a succession of bloom. It is not advisable, how- 

 ever, to take them from a cold frame or pit and 

 to place them in a strong heat all at once, as 

 this process has often a tendency to cause the 

 buds to fall. Such plants are best brought on 

 steadily, r.nd for this reason require a moderate 

 heat to commence with. Hyacinths, Tulips, 

 and Narcissus started now will bloom far better 

 than those introduced into heat last month. 

 Great care must be used in hardening all such 

 plants before they are taken to the Conserva- 

 tory or Greenhouse. 



Pits and Frames. 



Violets will now require particular attention. 

 If the weather be severe enough to prevent the 

 removal of the lights for any length of time, 

 take advantage of the first favourable oppor- 

 tunity to give air, or the buds will damp off. 

 No good is obtained by uncovering frames when 



the temperature in the open is several degrees 

 below freezing-point, as that inside these struc- 

 tures will also be abnormally low. Therefore 

 unless some of the plants are showing flower, 

 no harm will be done to them if they are not 

 uncovered for a month, or so long as the frost 

 lasts. As soon, however, as a thaw occurs, the 

 covering should be removed and air gradually 

 admitted till the plants are inured to the out- 

 side temperature. Be careful in watering any 

 inmates of pits and frames, giving sufficient 

 only to prevent flagging. Some of the more 

 hardy occupants, such as border Carnations, 

 Brompton and other Stocks, Hollyhocks, Violas, 

 &c, will take no harm if exposed to one or two 

 degrees of frost. Better to be so exposed than 

 to be coddled. 



Flower-garden and Pleasure Ground. 



Whenever the weather remains open push on 

 with the planting of all kinds of deciduous trees 

 and shrubs, as the sooner they are planted the 

 better. Look over flower-beds that were planted 

 last month, and pick up leaves and other litter 

 that may have got lodged there by the wind. 

 Rake out leaves from amongst shrubs and dig 

 over the borders, so that they may present a tidy 

 and well-kept appearance. Should the weather 

 be frosty, wheel on manure and turn over any 

 refuse heaps, in order that the contents may be 

 thoroughly decomposed before wheeling it on to 

 the ground. Examine drains and see that no 

 gravel has been washed into them by heavy 

 rain. Clean out cesspools and water tanks that 

 have become stagnant, so that the latter may 

 get filled again before spring. Re-gravel walks 

 where necessary, and turn others that have 

 become green or mossy. Any alterations needed 

 in the way of relaying turf should be proceeded 

 with during mild weather, so that the ground 

 may be settled down by spring. Prune and 

 train creepers to walls and fences. Protect half- 

 hardy plants from frost, and in bad weather 

 make a sufficient quantity of labels to name 

 plants as they are planted out. [h. c. p.] 



METEOROLOGY. 



No class of men take such a keen interest in 

 the weather as gardeners, and very naturally, 

 considering how greatly the success of the plants 

 under their care depend upon favourable atmos- 

 pheric conditions. Besides which, being so con- 

 stantly in the open air, few men watch the 



erratic movements of that fickle element more 

 closely. It is no doubt owing to this constant 

 watchfulness that gardeners are so often capital 

 judges of coming weather. They will, however, 

 find their efforts in this direction greatly assisted 

 by making regularly a few simple observations 



