160 



GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 



smooth. Stigma obsoletely lobed. Ovarium densely covered with soft villous white hairs, 

 angular, three-celled and three-valved. Seeds one in each cell, globular, smooth. 



This new species is a native of Mexico, from whence seeds were transmitted to G. Barker, 

 Esq., of Springfield, in whose collection it is. It belongs to the second section of Schulte's 

 u Systema Vegetabilium," and should be placed next to T. speciosa. It is planted in the open 

 ground, where it flowered ; but it no doubt requires greenhouse protection. 



ORCHIDACEiE § MALAXIDEvE. 

 Paxtonia rosea. Lindl. Pink Paxtonia. Bot. Reg. N. S. t. 60. This is a delicate and 

 pretty as well as a curious plant, collected by Mr. Hugh Cuming in the Philippine Islands, and 

 imported by Messrs. Loddiges, in whose collection it is. It is very different from all genera 

 hitherto discovered, in having the lip so similar to the sepals and petals that it is only to be 

 known by its position. Bot. Reg. 



§ VANDEiE. 



Catasetum atratum. Lindl. Dark-flowered Catasetum. Bot. Reg. N. S. t. 63. This 

 very distinct species was imported by Messrs. Loddiges, from Brazil. The flowers are gracefully 

 drooping, and are amongst the handsomest of the genus. Bot. Reg. 



CALENDAR OF GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 



The plant-stove ought to be kept at a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees 

 during the night, and air ought to be given during the day, whenever the tem- 

 perature rises eight or ten degrees higher ; but care must be taken not to give 

 air when there is a cold piercing wind. 



Syringe the plants twice or three times a week, and steam the house in the 

 evening by pouring water upon the flues, or hot-water pipes. 



The greenhouse must have plenty of air every fine day. No fires should be 

 lighted except in frosty weather, and then only enough to keep the frost off the 

 glass ; more injury is done to greenhouse plants by too much fire, than by too 

 little. 



Heaths and hard-wooded Cape and New Holland plants, will endure a little 

 frost without injury ; whilst Pelargoniums and soft- wooded plants suffer immedi- 

 ately after they get frozen. 



Give plenty of air to plants in cold pits and frames in mild weather, by draw- 

 ing the sashes entirely off. Cover with mats during the frost. 



Potted plants for forcing, such as Roses, Persian Lilacs, Rhododendrons, 

 Kalmias, Lily of the Valley, and Hyacinths, should be first placed in the green- 

 house for a week or more, before being finally removed to the stove, otherwise 

 the transition will be too great. 



Strawberry pots ought likewise to remain for a few days in the greenhouse 

 previous to forcing. 



The forcing of early Grapes and Peaches may commence this month ; also 

 the forcing of Sea Kale, Radishes, &c. 



