DECEMBER — THIRD WEEK. 



123 



accommodated with a light, airy situation, and receive 

 regular attention as regards watering. Avoid watering 

 the Pelargoniums until they are thoroughly dry, and 

 ieep down insects. 



STOVE AND OECHID-EOUSE. 



The plants in flie stove should he kept as quiet as 

 possible, and only just sufficient water given to keep them 

 from flagging, to be accompanied with a moderately 

 low temperature ; about 60° by day, and 50° by night, 

 the object being to prevent them from growing before 

 the spring of the year. Admit ah* when it can be done 

 safely, but do not expose the plants to cold, frosty winds 

 at any time. As our collections of Orchids are from 

 countries with different seasons of growth, and various 

 kinds of temperature and climate, it is difficult to cul- 

 tivate in one house a miscellaneous collection of them so 

 satisfactorily as where there are two divisions, the one 

 commanding a higher temperature, with more moisture, 

 than the other. Where there is no such division, ad- 

 vantage may be taken of a forcing-pit, or other such 

 house, to which any of them now in a growing state may 

 be removed, and thus their growth may be promoted 

 without injury to the general collection. For the general 

 collection a drier atmosphere and lower temperature are 

 now desirable, as no plants are more benefited by a season 

 of rest than Orchids. 



rORCIXG-HOUSES, 



All "Vines, Peaches, and Figs in Pots, or Tubs, to be 

 secured from frost and wet. A fermenting body in a forcing 

 vinery is an excellent plunging medium for such of these 

 as are wanted very early. JAeep up a succession of As- 

 paragus, French Beans, Rhubarb, Sea-kale, &c, accord- 

 ing to the demand. 



Cucumbers. — Thin out the fruit occasionally, more 

 especially if too many appear at one time. If any plants 

 have been bearing some time, and now appear nearly 

 exhausted, they may be rallied into vigour again by a 

 judicious pruning and thinning, and by the application 

 of a top dressing of leaf mould or other such rich, light 

 soil, and of liquid manure occasionally 



