THE GARDEN3ER. 



141 



DECEMBER. 



Stove, Greenhouse, ^c. — The stove plants which 

 are in their winter slumber ought not to breathe in a 

 higher atmosphere during cold weather than SS"* ; it 

 must, however, be sulSiciently moist to prevent the 

 leaves from flagging. In many parts of our climate, 

 however, the external air is, except in frost, seldom 

 otherwise than foggy, and it is against its influence, 

 and the drying eflects of fire inside' the houses, that 

 the gardener has to take his precautions. For plants 

 in the conservatory or garden' frame, not blossoming, 

 a temperature ten degrees lower is the best in cold 

 weather; it is indeed for them sufficient to exclude 

 frost. Reed matting, &c. will probably be required 

 over all the glass and frames, more or less during this 

 month. If the forcing of peaches and vines is only 

 commencing, you may put strawberries in tan or on 

 shelves in the forcing houses, with successions of 

 flowers to be forwarded into bloom. Prepare for 

 forcing cherries. 



Flower Garden, — Fine Stage Carnations, Auriculas, 

 and Polyanthuses, while protected from frost, had better 

 be left in free air day and night in open weather, 

 protected however from rain. Ridge lightly the 

 beds for Ranunculuses, to prepare them for the recep- 

 lion of the plants in February ; if you find Pansies 

 thrown out by the frost, replant. In this gloomy 

 season, during short and usually raw damp days, and 

 the absence of sun, the flower-beds present a mournful 

 appearance ; alternating frost and rain arrest the pro- 

 gress of vegetation, and leave you little to do in the 

 open garden except some pruning, and the scuffling 

 and cleaning of walks and borders, and the collecting 

 and removing of decayed leaves, &c. with the rake, 

 broom, and wheel-barrow. As to the bulbs in ground, 

 do not leave matting over them except during frost, 

 otherwise they will be prematurely forwai'ded. 



