DECEMEER — FOURTH WEEK. 



125 



FOURTH WEEK. 



GBEENHOUSE AND CONSEBVATOBY. 



Continue to keep the supply of heat and moisture at 

 the lowest degree compatible with the safety of the 

 plants from frosts. In damp, foggy weather, a gentle 

 fire to be applied occasionally during the day to expel 

 moist, stagnant air. During severe winterly weather 

 it is advisable to be cautious in the application of 

 heat, more especially at night. From 45° by night to 

 50° by day will be sufficient for the conservatory, and 40° 

 for the mixed greenhouse. To give a pleasing variety to 

 the appearance of these houses it is advisable to re- 

 arrange the plants occasionally ; those going out of flower 

 to be removed, and a fresh supply introduced from the 

 forcing-pit. All plants in these and other departments 

 to be regularly looked over, removing the dead leaves 

 and tying in straggling branches. The surface soil to be 

 stirred a little, and some fresh added. As all compost- 

 heaps are benefited by exposure to frosts, it is advisable 

 to turn over the caked or frozen surface every morning, 

 until the whole is turned over and penetrated by the 

 frost, by which grubs and all such kinds of vermin are 

 destroyed, and the soil considerably ameliorated. 



Calceolarias (Herbaceous). — To be shifted into larger 

 pot3 if they require them, to be kept near the glass, to be 

 watered moderately through a fine rose, and on no 

 account to be allowed to get thoroughly dry. To be 

 careful when removing decayed leaves, not to pull or to 

 cut them off too close to the stem, by which the flower- 

 shoots would be very likely to get injured. 



Camellias. — Great care is necessary that they may not 

 be exposed to great alternations of temperature, which 

 are sure to cause them to drop their flower-buds. The 

 great reason why flower-buds very often fall off without 

 properly coming into bloom, is the too sudden changes 

 in the temperature to which they are exposed. For in- 

 stance : when the buds are nearly ready to expand, a 

 sudden heat causes them to push too rapidly ; and, on the 

 contrary, a decrease of warmth at the time checks their 

 growth, and in other cases causes them to fall. The heat 



