7G 
CARTER AND CO.’S GARDENER'S VADE-MECUM FOR 18G2. 
Greenhouse. 
Most of the hard- wooded plants arc now moving, and will require a general attention to shifting : let the whole of the 
stoek be thoroughly revised ; such ns are in bloom will at present only require top-dressing ; the same will apply to all 
plants which ure become largo enough for decorative purposes ; but all young plants of various stages, growing forward into 
specimens, must have a shift, large or small according to the slate of the roots : this should be carefully looked to, as indiscri- 
minate shifting to save after-trouble is not skilful gardening ; endeavour to keep the plants close for a few days after this 
operation, and be very careful in watering, until tho growth of the plant shows that the roots are active, when more may be 
given ; but at all times extra care in watering is necessary for hard-wooded greenhouse plants : previous to shifting, see that 
the balls are well saturated; young plants growing into specimens should not be allowed to flower, but kept back. As 
soon as the Chinese Primroses and Cinerarias, which are now blooming, are removed to the Conservatory, let their places 
be supplied from tho reserve pits, which will thus give room for the sliifting and spreading out of the later stock. Calceo- 
larias in particular will require constant shifting and plenty of room: get in cuttings from the Fuchsias put into heat ns 
soon as they can be procured ; they cannot be got to work too early. Select a few ot the best plants of Scarlet Geraniums, 
Petunias, Tropicolums, and Verbenas, and give them a liberal shift to bring them forward as Conservatory plants. Continuo 
tho training of Pelargoniums, and shift the later stock ; put in cuttings for Autumn blooming. Take care to have a frame 
with gentle bottom heat ready for a sowing of showy Annuals for the Conservatory early next month. 
Forcing Fruit Houses. — Pineries. 
Let the temperature be gradually increased as the days lengthen, both in the fruiting-house and also to succession plants ; 
tho bottom heat must also be carefully maintained, by whatever means it is produced : keep up a humid atmosphere, and 
give air whenever possible ; water must be gradually withheld from such plants ns have swelled their truit and are begin- 
ning to ripen. Succession plants should now bo shifted ; bring all the largest and forwardest plants to the warmest end of 
tho house or pit, to bring them forward to take the placo of thoso from which tho fruit is cut : in the fruiting-house, it the 
bottom heat is from tan, be very careful that the addition of fresh material, generally made at this shifting, does not increase 
it too much. 
Vineries. 
The berries in tho earliest house will now be set, and are therefore ready for the very important operation of thinning, 
which is one that requires very great care in the manipulation. Be careful not to handle the bunches, nor touch them 
violently, because bruises, however slight, will disfigure the borries : but we would observe particularly that a very few minutes’ 
draught of cold wind, when the berries are in this tender stage, will rust every bunch it blows upon ; and a fortnight after, it 
will be wondered how it is that the grapes are rusted ; never, therefore, at this stage of growth, give air at the front unless it can 
be thoroughly warmed, and not .at the top when the wind is rough and cold. As the process of thinning goes on, let the 
shoots be carefully trained, and every superfluous one removed. Vines started last month will now be breaking fast ; keep 
up a moist atmosphere, and syringe overhead frequently until tho bloom begins to expand. 
Peach House. 
Thinning the fruit and disbudding are the principal operations in the earliest house ; and this must be done in a very 
gradual manner, and at intervals: some little skill and practice will bo required, ns the mind must be carried on in ad- 
vance of the present state of the tree, and the operation conducted with reference to what it should then be. Peaches are very 
impatient of the knife; and the great object of disbudding should be to obviate almost entirely the necessity of using it. Green 
fly is apt to appear at this stage, for which fumigation will be necessary ; and if the red spider threaten, smear a little sulphur 
mixed with thin gum water on the pipes when cool ; never introduce dry sulphur. Keep up a moist atmosphere both here 
and in the houses started last month, and syringe the latter freely until they are in bloom, when they should be kept dry 
for a short lime to assist tho formation and distribution of pollen : give tho trees a smart rap now and then for the same 
purpose. Cherries may now be started ; they succeed best when they can have a little bottom heat and a free circulation of 
air : keep Figs well watered at tho roots, together with a moist atmosphere and frequent syringing. Strawberries which 
have well set their fruit may be removed to the shelves of a Vinery, near the top, where air is given, and another supply 
brought into tho pits for succession. 
Pits and Frames. 
If there is a pit to spare, now is a good time to fill it with good fresh leaves ; and plunge it full of Strawberries in pots : 
they' mav remain there to fruit, and will come in very useful. Sow more Fulmer’s Early Forcing Beans in pots for succes- 
sion. Continue a brisk heat to Melons and Cucumbers, with a moist but not stagnant atmosphere : keep the bottom heat 
about 75° ; or else the fruit will not swell off : pot off seedling Melons and Cucumbers, and sow more seed of Carter’s Cham- 
pion Cucumber and Excolsior Melon ; sow Tomatoes, Chihes, and Capsicum at the end of the month. 
MARCH. 
Kitchen Garden. 
This is a busy month indeed ; and every exertion will be necessary. Two sowings of Peas must again bo made this 
month, — the first to consist of the middle and late varieties, and the last of the late wrinkled sorts : Carter’s Victoria, No plus 
Ultra, and King of the Marrows are Peas of unrivalled excellence; the rows arc best single; but it not, they must be six feet 
apart. Sow Johnson’s Wonderful, and Taylor’s Windsor Beans ; get in the main sowing ot Parsley, also a good bed ot Early 
Horn and James’s Scarlet Carrot. Tho main crop of Onions should be got in about the middle of the month ; consolidate 
the ground with a wooden roller, and sow in drills seven inches apart for the convenience of thinning. Sow Celery tor the 
main crops early this month, and prick out on a gentle heat those sown last month. Sow Brussels Sprouts, Chou do Milan, 
Savoy Cabbage, and Borecole for the main crops. Mako a small sow ing of Snow's Winter and Grange s Broccoli tor use in 
early winter ; prick out the Cauliflowers sown lust month, and make another small sowing on a warm border. 
