176 



THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



Indian Azaleas (the early varieties of them will now 

 be coming into flower, if they have been in a little 

 heat), Primulas, Cinerarias, &c. Add to these Helio- 

 tropes, Mignonette, Violets, Tulips, Narcissus, &c. ; 

 also a few variegated and ornamental foliage plants. 

 See that every plant and pot is clean and neat, and 

 arrange tlie whole in an effective manner. Attend 

 carefully to the watering of all plants. Fire heat at 

 night will be necessary in frosty weather ; but in 

 open mild weather it is best to light, a little occasionally 

 by day to expel damp, Ventilate freely on all favour- 

 able occasions, but guard carefully against coid 

 draughts. 



Greenhouses. 

 Hardwooded Plants.— Look frequently over the 

 specimen plants ; turn them around and change then- 

 situations occasionally. If not already done tie and 

 tram any plants that may require it. Attend care- 

 fully to the watering of all plants. Give air freely 

 whenever the state of the weather permits. Use lire 

 heat only when necessary. Young plants in pits 

 should be well protected from frost, but in favourable 

 weather they should have all the air possible. Soft- 

 wooded Vlaktis. — Pelargoniums. — Look carefully 

 into the plants and remove all decaying and super- 

 fluous shoots and leaves. Keep the plants well tied- 

 out, so that the sun and light might have free access 

 to the centre of them. Keep them near the glass, to 

 prevent their drawing. Great care should be taken in 

 watering. At this season they should be allowed to 

 get quite dry before tney are watered. In frosty 

 weather fires will be necessary at night. In dull 

 weather light fires occasionally in the daytime, to dry 

 up the damp whilst the sashes are open. Ventilate 

 freely at every favourable opportunity, taking care to 

 guard against cold draughts as much as possible. 

 Cinerarias. — Attend regularly to the tying-down of 

 the shoots as they advance, and thin-out all the small 

 1 eaves. Attend carefully to the watering. Ventilate 

 freely in fine weather. Calceolarias.— Attend care- 

 fully to these, Remove all decaying and small leaves 

 and shoots. Stir the surface of the soil in the pots to 

 keep it open. Attend well to the watering, never 

 allowing them to get thoroughly dry before it is 

 given to them. Fumigate occasionally to prevent the 

 green fly, and give air freely at every favourable 

 opportunity. Pot-off seedlings when lit, and shift 

 those previously potted into larger pots. Fuchsias.— 

 Those started last month should now have a moist 

 growing atmosphere, and the temperature at night 

 should not be below 50°. Tie-up the young plants as 

 they advance m growth. Give a little air in fine 

 weather. Water freely when necessary. 



Stove. 



Examine the plants frequently, and spare no pains 

 to have them thoroughly clean and free of insects. 

 Arrange the flowering and fine-foliaged plants, so 

 that they may make the house gay and cheerfuf . Pick 

 off all decaying flowers and leaves. Tie and train 

 plants. Keep the house dry and clean. Water 

 thoroughly when it is wanted; always give it in the 

 forenoon. As long as the present mild weather con- 

 tinues a great amount of fire heat will not b e r equirett ; 

 the night temperature should not, however, be allowed 

 to get below 60°. Give air freely in line weather, 

 avoiding cold draughts. 



Flower. Garden. 

 Cover beds containing bulbs to protect from frost. 

 Protect all choice flowers and shrubs that are likely 

 to suffer from frost. If not already done, plant 

 hardy Roses in open weather. This is also a good 

 time to plant stocks for budding next season. Plant 

 edgings, lay turf, and push on alterations of all kinds 

 in open weather. Look frequently over the stock of 

 » bedding" plants. Those in pits and frames should 

 be well protected from frosts, but should have all the 

 ah possible when the weather permits. Pleasure 

 Groimfa.'- Secure newly-planted trees to stakes, to 

 prevent their being blown about by the wind : indeed 

 many of the established trees would be much bene- 

 ilted 'if some of the branches on the side exposed to 

 the wind were made fast to stakes; it prevents them 



from dashing against each other, and saves the buds 

 from being rubbed out, which often happens when not 

 staked. Continue to plant in open weather. Proceed 

 with alterations whilst the weather continues favour- 

 able. 



Forcing. 



Fruit,— Pine Apples.— The directions given last 

 month, for plants to start in Januarjr, are applicable 

 this. The frui ting-house will require careful manage- 

 ment at ttiis season. Take advantage of the weather 

 to give a little air at every favourable opportunity. 

 Water thoroughly when required. Keep the atmo- 

 sphere rather dry, and maintain a temperature of 

 from CO 0 to 65° at night, and S0° to 85° during the day. 

 Keep the succession plants dry; give air every favour- 

 able opportunity, and see the bottom heat is not below 

 80°. Vines. — Gradually raise the temperature of the 

 early-house to 60° by night, and 70° by day, with ail 

 increase of 12° or 14° by sun heat* Attend to the 

 stopping and tying-down of the shoots, and remove 

 all superfluous ones. Give air freely when the weather 

 permits. Water thoroughly the inside borders when 

 they require it, using tepid water. Keep the atmo- 

 sphere of the succession-houses moist. Give air freely, 

 and be careful not to keep the night temperature 

 above -50° until the buds begin to swell. Late Grapes. 

 —Examine the bunches frequently, and take out all 

 decaying berries. Give abundance oi air, and keep 

 the houses as dry as possible. Peaches and J\/eo~ 

 tarines.—li not already done, start the early-house 

 at once- Cover the outside borders with fermenting 

 material, and give the inside ones a good soaking of 

 water. Syringe the trees two or three times daily, and 

 try to keep a moist atmosphere by all means. Main- 

 tain a temperature of from 40° to 45° by night, and 

 55° to 60° by day. Give air freely when the state of 

 the weather permits. In mild weather the late houses 

 should have all the air possible ; but in frosty weather 

 it is bet;er to close the sashe3. Pigs.— It these have 

 not been pruned and dressed, as recommended last 

 month, the present is a good time to do it; also to 

 shift any plants that may require a larger pot or tub. 

 In mild weather give plenty of air, and in severe 

 weather use sufficient fire to keep out the frost. 

 Cherries— The early batch of plants should now be 

 under glass. Give them all the air possible. Straw- 

 berries.— Introduce the first batch for forcing. At this 

 season they cannot have too much light ; they should 

 therefore be put close to the glass. They should have 

 little or no fire heat except in frosty weather. Give 

 them plenty of air. Take care the plants in winter 

 quarters do not get frozen on any account. Cucumbers. 

 —As long as the weather continues mild, be sparing 

 of fire heat at night. If cold frosty weather should 

 set in it will be necessary to keep a temperature of 

 60 to 65° by night, and 70° to S0° by day. Keep the 

 shoots thin, so that they may get all the light possible. 

 Keep a moist atmosphere. Give air freely at every 

 opportunity, and water thoroughly when required. 



Hardy Fruit. 

 Proceed with the pruning and nailing of wall trees 

 in mild weather, and the pruning and thinning-out of 

 all kinds of standard and dwarf trees, and endeavour 

 to get through as much of this work as possible at 

 this season. Plant fruit trees of all kinds In open 

 weather, and attend to the instructions on this head in 

 last month's Calendar. Look the fruit carefully over 

 in the fruit room. 



Kitchen Garden. 

 See that everything is properly protected that is 

 likely to suffer from the influence of lrost ; for though 

 the weather up to the present time has been very 

 mild, we may have a very sudden change to very- 

 severe weather. It is prudent, therefore, to take all 

 precaution at this season against sueh changes. 

 Parsley, Lettuce, Endive, Cauliflowers, Celery, <&c, 

 all require protection in case of frost. See there is a 

 sufficient quantity of Rhubarb and Sea-kale covered 

 for forcing. Thoroughly clean all parts of the garden. 

 In frosty weather wheel manure to places where it 

 will be wanted. In mild weather dig or trench all 

 vacant ground. Dig all borders. Plant edgings, turn 

 gravel, and sweep and roll walks. — M. S. 



