JANUARY— THIRD WEEK. 



13 



are the materials to be used. Any plants that had be- 

 come very dry should be immersed in tepid water for an 

 hour the day previous to shifting. The climate of the 

 countries and the localities from whence the species come 

 are the best guides to their successful cultivation ; as the 

 treatment required for Oncidium Carthaginense would 

 kill O. bifolium, and Cattleya Forbesii will thrive where 

 C. Skinneri will die, and in like manner with many others. 



FORCING-HOUSES. 



Capsicum. — Sow seeds of the large sort in pans or 

 pots, to be placed in heat. When the seedlings are an inch 

 or two high pot them singly into small pots, and replace 

 them in heat ; to be afterwards shifted when necessary 

 until the end of May, when they may be planted out on 

 a south border. 



Cherries. — Plenty of air, atmospheric moisture, and 

 a very moderate temperature, are the requisites for them. 

 If the buds are beginning to swell, 45° will be enough to 

 maintain by fire heat, lowering the temperature down 

 to 40° at night, with a moist atmosphere. 



Cucumbers. — The plants in bearing to get a top dress- 

 ing of fresh, rich soil. Keep a sharp look out for the 

 destruction of insects. When the plants in the seed-bed 

 have made one rough leaf pinch off the leading shoot 

 above it, so as to cause the plants to throw out two shoots 

 from the axil of the leaves. Cuttings put in and struck 

 in the seed-bed will come into bearing quicker than 

 seedling plants. 



Peaches. — If the weather is very dull and unfavour- 

 able for giving air where the trees are in bloom, it is 

 advisable to shake the trellis towards noon for dispersing 

 the pollen. 



Pines. — Proceed with the routine as advised in last 

 Calendar. 



Strawberries.— Keep them close to the glass, and 

 remember that they are impatient of heat: let 45° be 

 about the maximum, with a very free circulation of air. 

 If they are plunged in a pit or dung-bed, let the bottom 

 heat be about 70° maximum, with an atmospheric warmth 

 of 55° to 60°. In such a situation they will want scarcely 



