240 
OPERATIONS FOR NOVEMBER, 
nums, and some of the common sorts of Pelargonium which flower freely, should be brought into 
the forcing house. They ought, however, to be placed, for a week or two previously, in a cold 
frame, greenhouse, or unemployed vinery, and the temperature gradually raised when they 
are forcing. 
The Streptocarpus Rexii is also an excellent little plant for forcing ; but the plants should 
first be prepared by keeping them dry for a month or two on a greenhouse shelf, and then 
shifting into a rather large pot, employing a rich open soil. If they are afterwards placed in 
a gentle heat, they will soon begin to flower, and continue to produce a liberal succession for a 
long time. They are particularly useful for bouquets. The plants should not be all forced at 
once, but at three or four periods, three weeks or a month apart. Several other common 
greenhouse plants may also be selected, that will flower with a little encouragement. A few 
more Narcissus and Hyacinths , in pots, may be brought from the frames to the forcing-pits. 
The best way of keeping Chrysanthemums till they flower is to place them in a deep frame 
where they can be freely ventilated, and sufficiently protected from frost. They must not, by 
any means, be kept close or warm, or in a very dry atmosphere, or they will soon become drawn, 
and infested with insects. Expose them as fully to light as possible ; and if the fly appear, 
it will be advisable to smoke them with tobacco immediately. If kept cool, they will rarely 
be attacked by the red spider, though otherwise very liable to it ; and a low temperature will 
also help to retard the flowering, which is usually deemed more desirable than to hasten it. 
As there is now, generally, a little more leisure, the houses, pits, and frames must be 
frequently looked over, to keep them clear of weeds, dead leaves, and fading flowers, and to 
preserve cleanliness throughout the whole. Be vigilant to detect and suppress insects wherever 
they make their appearance ; and if the leaves of any plants, especially orange trees, have a 
deposit of dust or dirt on their surface, it ought at once to be washed off. One of the greatest 
pests to stove and greenhouse plants is the Mealy Bug ( Coccus adonidum ), and if not directly 
extirpated, it soon overruns all the plants in a house. A safe and sure remedy against it is 
to dip a camel’s-hair brush in Hereman’s Vegetable Dilutium, and touch the insect with it 
wherever it appears. This causes instant death to it, without hurting the specimen, if it be 
syringed with clean water immediately after the mixture has been used. The plants should be 
examined from time to time, as some of the insects are so minute as to escape the most vigilant 
eye at the first dressing. If occasionally looked over during the winter, the pest may be entirely 
suppressed before the busy season returns. 
If the Dahlias still remain in the ground, take advantage of the first dry time to have them 
all taken up, and safely put away in a shed till they are well dried ; and before they arc finally set 
by for the winter, be sure to secure the labels firmly to each. 
