THE CONSERVATORY. 
51 
been kept comparatively warm and close, as 
recommended last month, (p. 3,) some of the 
permanent plants will also be producing flow- 
ers ; and this combination will be certain to 
constitute a very gay and brilliant assemblage. 
Temperature, <yc. — The general treatment 
of this structure, as regards temperature, atmos- 
pheric moisture, and ventilation, must be con- 
tinued much the same as last month, (p. 3.) 
The natural supply of light and heat will yet 
be limited, and it will, therefore, not be desira- 
ble to apply too much of this latter artificially. 
Nevertheless, as the object in this structure 
should be to produce display rather than very 
perfect growth, some little liberty may be 
taken in this respect. The degree of heat — 
45 to 50 deg. — recommended for last month, 
will be sufficient to secure all the growth and 
excitement which is as yet desirable, and 
abundantly sufficient for all plants actually in 
flower. If evaporating pans, filled with water, 
are placed on the pipes or flues, they will 
effect the regulation of the moisture to the 
degree of heat applied. 
JFloivers. — Most of the plants previously 
noticed as blooming naturally, will now be in 
bloom in greater perfection, and many of the 
New Holland and Cape plants will also be 
flowering. Of the forced flowers a constant 
succession will have been kept up. The conser- 
vatory ought, therefore, to be more gay with 
flowers during the present month than it was 
last month. 
Climbers. — Where the object is to have 
these in bloom very late in the summer or 
autumn, the pruning of them should be deferred 
till this month. Those pruned in autumn, 
which will be making an early growth, must 
have the superfluous shoots disbudded; (that is, 
•ulibed or taken off as soon as the buds are 
sufficiently swelled, to determine what is re- 
quired, and what is not,) and they should be 
properly arranged and secured as their growth 
increases. 
Watering the permanent plants. — It some- 
times happens, that from fear of the soil be- 
coming too wet, it is allowed to get much too 
dry for the well-being of the plants ; and those 
which are advanced to a flowering state, espe- 
cially such as Camellias and Rhododendrons, 
suffer much injury. The only safeguard is 
to examine the state of the soil, not merely on 
the surface, but at the depth of a few inches, 
where the roots are ; and if it is found to be 
drier than is compatible with the well-being 
of the plants, the remedy is to apply a mode- 
rate soaking of water — enough must be given 
to remove the evil, if any advantage is to be 
derived. 
• Inserts. — Where the eradication and remo- 
val of them is not completed, whatever spare 
time can be commanded,, should be devoted to 
their destruction. Such as the white and 
brown scale and mealy-bug ought to be removed 
from the plant by a careful process. If the 
plants are occasionally syringed with clear 
soot water, the insects will be kept down and 
soon eradicated. When plants are clean, it is 
best to keep them so by liberal treatment, 
keeping a sweet atmosphere, moistened in pro- 
portion to the degree of heat applied. 
THE GREEN-HOUSE. 
Tnis is the month for potting the greater 
number of plants which have been kept through 
the winter in small pots, and which are required 
to attain to considerable perfection during the 
ensuing summer. The exact period of the 
month — that is, whether in the middle, or 
towards the end — at which the operation 
should be performed, will depend on various 
circumstances : such as the present and pro- 
spective state of the weather, the severity or 
otherwise of the winter, and the effect it has 
had upon the plants. The promise of ungenial 
weather at this time of the year, should delay 
the operation, and, especially, if from the 
severity of any part of the winter the plants 
have been enervated in a confined atmosphere, 
and with too much artificial heat. Now, 
although this may be considered the month for 
potting most of the free growing green-house 
plants, it must be understood that the operation 
is not to be one of routine, in which all the 
plants are to be alike treated ; on the contrary, 
the most vigorous kinds, and the most vigorous 
plants are to be first done ; and the others, 
either at a subsequent period, or they may 
sometimes be benefitted by being replaced 
with fresh soil in the same pots, after having 
some of the old effete soil removed. In all 
cases, the weaker plants should have propor- 
tionately smaller pots, and if it can be so 
arranged, a less rich and exciting compost 
than the stronger ones. In most cases, it will 
be the best course to devote the earlier part 
of the month to the preparation of composts, 
(which should lay in dry heaps through the 
winter) materials for drainage, pots of various 
sizes, &c. ; deferring the shifting of any plants 
till towards the end. If pots that have been 
previously used are again employed, they should 
be washed inside and out, and made perfectly 
clean. 
House for Miscellaneous Plants. — 
Where there is but the convenience ol one 
green-house in which the various tribes known 
as green-house plants have to be grown, some 
little difference as to the treatment of the 
different classes of plants may be afforded, 
by collecting those of allied habit into groups. 
If they are of delicate habit, they do not thus 
become overgrown by coarser plants ; and if 
they are themselves of strong growth, they do 
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