264 
OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
leaves that lie on the borders which do not contain a great quantity of herbaceous 
plants ; or, in other words, to dig them in when the soil is turned over, and to allow 
the others gradually to rot, and their remains to be washed into the earth by the 
agency of rain. 
To persons who possess very valuable Tulip beds, and employ a canvas 
covering to shelter them in rigorous weather, we would recommend the addition of a 
coating of pitch or tar over the canvas, that it may be made available on wet as well 
as frosty occasions. The same suggestion applies to the covering of any other beds of 
tender plants, which, from a particular cause, it is desirable to retain in the open 
border. By warding off an undue supply of moisture, less protection from frost 
will be requisite, and the plants, if necessarily kept, at an after period, for a 
considerable time beneath a dark screen, will not be so liable to become blanched, 
and otherwise suffer from their confinement. 
Plants in houses are at this time almost universally torpid, and the efforts 
of the culturist have simply to be directed to their maintenance in that state. 
The few that are now unfolding their flowers (unless it be some peculiar sorts 
of Orchidace^) are by no means exceptions to the remark ; since the production of 
inflorescence is a kind of consequence of the completion of their growth, and not 
an indication that it is still progressing. The chief condition to be desiderated is 
one on which we have repeatedly dwelt, and to which we cannot too frequently 
advert in the cold season. It is a safe proportion of aridity in the atmosphere 
and about the roots ; the latter usually producing the former, or at least invariably 
tending; thereto. 
Chrysanthemums will have now nearly ceased flowering in the greenhouse ; and 
when their blossoms have faded, they should have their stems cut down, and the 
plants removed to a cold frame. Exposure to the air, by leaving off the lights of 
the frame in mild days, will be of great service to them ; and all the other 
management they demand is to be kept thoroughly dormant, and beyond the 
influence of frost. 
Some species of Lcelia, and other Orchidacese that flower at the present period, 
ought to be retained in a warm but not a moist house while the blooms are 
expanded, and then gradually transferred to a much colder one. They endure 
naturally a considerable degree of cold ; but it is not advisable to subject them to 
a lower temperature than 40^^ Fahrenheit in this country ; only taking care that 
the house or frame appropriated to them and all resting Orchidaceje shall be duly 
divested of atmospheric moisture. 
Forcing should be vigorously conducted this month. And as a quiescent state 
is recommended for vegetation that is ordinarily treated, so, jusfc the reverse of this 
becomes necessary where an artificial excitation is sought. The air of the forcing- 
pit must, consequently, be in a constantly moist condition; and this will best 
be maintained by the use of fermenting manure, instead of a fire apparatus. 
