12 



JANUARY — THIRD WEEK. 



THIRD WEEK. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Ventilation is requisite in mild weather, as stagnani 

 air is always unfavourable, especially to the plants bloom- 

 ing in the conservatory. Water sparingly, and damp 

 the house as moderately as possible, as water settling on 

 the flowers will soon destroy them. When the plants, 

 bulbs, or shrubs in the forcing-pit have developed their 

 blossoms, let them be removed to the conservatory, where 

 they can be preserved much longer in perfection. The 

 plants to be looked over every morning, and every dead 

 or decaying leaf and flower to be removed. 



Heaths. — Fire heat should only be given when mats 

 or other such coverings are not sufficient to exclude frost, 

 as nothing so much injures the constitution of the Cape 

 Heaths as a close, damp atmosphere. Air should be 

 allowed to circulate freely amongst them at all oppor- 

 tunities. 



Pelargoniums. —The plants intended for specimens 

 should be finally shifted. Air to be admitted at all 

 favourable opportunities, and a slight increase of tempe- 

 rature given. To be kept near the glass, and free from 

 green fly. If they have made no winter growth they 

 will now be the better prepared to progress in a robust, 

 healthy state. 



STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE. 



Amaryllis. — Attend to the shifting^of them as soon 

 as they show signs of growth. Let them be placed in 

 the stove, and give a little water, increasing it gradually 

 as the leaves unfold. 



Orchids. — If other departments of gardening are 

 likely to occupy more time than can be very well spared 

 as spring operations accumulate very fast, it is advisable 

 to proceed with the potting of Orchids from this time 

 forward, beginning with those that are showing signs of 

 growth. Peat cut into from one to two-inch cubes, fresh 

 sphagnum to be soaked in boiling water, to destroy in- 

 sects, and charcoal lumps, with an abundance of crocks, 



