74 
CARTER AND CO.’S GARDENER’S VADE-MECUM EOR 186$. 
Stove. 
Plants that have done blooming and require vest must have less water, and bo removed to the coolest place ; shift or top 
dress, and cut back, if necessary, all that are starting into growth ; and do not give them much water at first ; cut back creepers 
required to bloom early ; put a part of the stock of Gesnena zebriua to work, also a few Aehimenes, Gloxinias, and Gcsneras, 
if not already done. 
Orchid House. 
As many of these will now be starting into growth, the temperature and the humidity of the atmosphere may be slightly 
increased, but not too rapidly, as many of the plants are still dormant, and must not bo hastily excited : when growth com- 
mences, see to the necessary sliifting or surfacing, as may bo necessary, using the composts in a very rough state, with tho 
addition of lumps of charcoal and sandstone. 
Greenhouse. 
Hardwooded plants are most of them still in a dormant state, and must neither be overwatered nor subjected to more firo 
heat than is necessary to exclude frost. Such plants as Acacias, Correas, Winter-flowering Heaths, &c. must be removed to 
the conservatory as they show for bloom, when they may have more water and a more growing atmosphere: watch the sta e 
of the roots towards the end of the month ; and if they are on the move, make immediate preparation for a good shut eai y 
next month, or an examination of tho drainage and surface-dressing where sliifting is no longer desirable ; lor it is bac^ 
economy to continue sliifting the generality of liard-wooded plants beyond a certain reasonable and moveable size ; it is lar 
better to bring forward a stock of nice young plants, as being more interesting and affording room lor a greater vane y m 
display. Continue the sliifting of Pelargoniums as they become ready : the most forward will now be ready for their bloom- 
ing-pots ; thin the branches out, and keep them nicely trained, give them plenty of stage room, and let them be olten turned, 
about. A general shift of all tho strongest Calceolarias will he necessary towards the end of the month : go over the whole 
of the stock, remove decayed leaves, stir tho surface, and pav particular attention to fumigation ; for if insects arc not kept 
under, all other cares are useless, both for thcso and Cinerarias ; and their attacks are often so insidious, that the mischiOt 
is done before it begins to show itself : fumigation, therefore, should be a part of the system, and be done about every 
three weeks. Cinerarias, if required large, slioidd now have another shift ; such as are throwing up lor bloom may have a 
warmer temperature to encourage them to open freely; look over the stock for succession, shift such as require it, and pot oil 
more seedlings ; remove old plants of choice Fuchsias into heat to furnish cuttings for Autumn blooming. 
Forcing Fruit Houses. — Pineries. 
Examine well into the state of the bottom heat in which the fruiting plants are growing ; this must range from 80° to 
85°; therefore, if it is declining, let it be renewed with some fresh material, but do not disturb the pots ; a moist atmosphere 
is indispensable, which may be increased or lessened according to external atmospheric conditions, more being required in 
bright sunny weather than in dull qloudy weather ; give air whenever possible : in syringing and watering be very careful 
not to wet tho embryo fruit, any moisture on which would be fatal : keep succession plants dormant at present ; but towards 
tho end of the month a slight increase of temperature may bo ventured upon, to prepare some of the best for sliifting next 
month. 
Vineries. 
Wien the vines that were started in November are well broken and advancing into bloom, syringing overhead must bo 
discontinued, and atmospheric moisture liberally supplied by evaporation ; stop the shoots at one joint from the fruit as 
soon as it can bo perceived, and at the same time remove entirely all superfluous shoots : look to the state of the coverings 
on the outside borders ; if fermenting materials are used, it will be all right; but if not, something must be done to throw oil 
the cold rains and snow, and more particularly to exclude the frost about the part where the stems enter the house, as wo 
have seen a crop ruined by the main stem being exposed to frost when tho buds were started : previous to starting the house 
for succession, let tho walls be well washed over with a mixture of lime and sulphur ; the stems of tho vines should also bo 
dressed with a mixture of lime, sulphur, soft-soap, and soot, mixed with water to the consistency of paint, and applied warm. 
Peach House. 
Increase tho heat to such as are in bloom or just setting, and commence disbudding ; finish pruning and dressing the trees 
in the houses about to bo started ; commence tho application of fire heat in a very gradual manner ; be careful to syringe 
freely and often before tho bloom expands, and let the roots have a good soaking with tepid water. Figs may now be 
started ; give the roots plenty of water, and syringe the plants twico a day, shutting up early. 
Pits and Frames. 
Keep up a brisk bottom beat, at a range of 75°, to Cucumbers in fruit ; maintain also a moist atmosphere, but admit air as 
often as possible; pot off seedling Cucumbers, and sow more seed; sow also seed of an early Melon (Carter’s Excelsior) 
for first crop : start another batch of Strawberries in a gentle bottom heat, with plenty of ah’ when possible; makeup Mush- 
room beds, and spawn them when the heat 'decreases to 80°. Let us here add, as a general ride applicable to every month, and 
of great importance to be remembered, always in watering at the roots, or syringing overhead, let the water be applied at the 
same temperature as the average of that in which the plants are growing. 
FEBRUARY. 
Kitchen Garden. 
Regard being paid to our previous directions for the preparation of the soil, let no time be lost, when the weather is favour- 
able, in getting in crops. Early in the month make a sowing of Bound Spinach, Early Short Top , and Scarlet Radish ; also 
Bath Cos Lettuce on a warm border; let these beds be slightly covered with dry brake, fasten it down, and remove when tho 
seeds are up : sow Carter's Fine Selected and Hollow-crowned Tar strips ; and make the first sowing of Brussels Sprouts, 
also of Carter’s Early and Matchless Cabbage , also of Dwarf Ubn and Drumhead Savoy , and a small sowing of improved Bed 
Dutch Cabbage. 
