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FORCING-HOUSE FOR FLOWERS. 
Lycaste omenta ; Huntleya violacea ; Brassa- 
vola glauca ; and Odontoglossum pulchellum. 
FORCING-HOUSE FOK FLOWERS. 
The temperature of the house must not be 
raised too suddenly during this month, care 
being taken, by giving air, to prevent too 
great an excess should the weather be bright, 
whilst at night it may be allowed, to fall as 
low as 50 degs., or even lower, without risk of 
any material damage to the plants. Of course 
rapid transitions are to be carefully avoided, 
although a considerable difference between 
the highest range by day, and the lowest by 
night, is found to be more beneficial than 
otherwise ; but the fluctuation should be 
gradual. 
Watering. — The direct application of water 
to the roots, and of vapour to the stems and 
leaves of the plants, must be carefully at- 
tended to. The earth in the pots, and the 
atmosphere around the plants, must never be 
suffered to become dry ; at the same time, 
success materially depends on the other ex- 
treme . being avoided ; although it must be 
recollected that plants in so artificial a situa- 
tion generally require a larger supply of water 
than when growing under ordinary circum- 
stances. Most bulbs, when in a growing state, 
require a large supply of water ; they there- 
fore do well if their pots are set in pans, the 
pans being now and then filled with water ; 
taking care that the plants use up all that 
previously supplied ere they be again re- 
plenished. 
Insects. — The house should be fumigated 
at least twice during the month, and no hesi- 
tation should be felt at doing it oftener, 
if the green-fly is troublesome enough to 
require it. Little trouble need be yet taken 
about the red spider, if the house be kept to 
the moist genial temperature recommended ; 
but if they make their appearance, wash the 
pipes or flues with whitewash, in which a 
little flowers of sulphur, or sulphur vivum, 
has been mixed. Attend particularly to the 
Rose-buds, and remove every sign of a grub ; 
also, watch the leaves, and if any whitish 
irregular marks appear on them, examine 
closer, and a very minute grub will probably 
be seen at the largest end of the mark, de- 
stroying the cellular substance of the leaf, 
between the upper and under skins. By 
timely attention in picking out, or otherwise 
destroying the grub, the leaf may be pre- 
served ; but if this be not done, the leaf is 
soon so much disfigured as to render it neces- 
sary to remove it. Slugs, snails, wood-lice, and 
all other sorts of intruders, must be carefully 
removed as soon as their presence is detected. 
Roses. — In the beginning of the month in- 
troduce another batch of these plants, they 
will follow those brought in last month, and 
will flower in April. Remove those sufficiently 
advanced to a cooler house. 
American plants. — Keep up a succession 
of these by fresh introductions, as those pre- 
viously brought in are removed. They may 
be placed in the most airy part of the house, 
and must be carefully attended with water, or 
both their flowers and leaves will drop. 
Lilacs, Duetzia, JRibes sancjuinewn, and 
plants of similar habits, may also be brought 
in as vacancies occur. They will be found 
very useful where many plants in flower are 
wanted. Indeed, where great quantities are 
required, every early flowering shrub is easily 
forced ; such as the varieties of the common 
Hawthorn, Laburnum, Pyrus, Spirasa, Guel-. 
der Rose, and many others. 
Hydrangeas may be introduced. Thin 
oat the branches, leaving only about four 
according to the strength of the plants. They 
should be set in pans, and supplied with an 
abundance of water. 
Violets, in pots, may also be introduced, 
being placed in the coolest part of the house, 
and near the glass. Any of the varieties 
may be used, but the Neapolitan is generally 
preferred. The temperature should not range 
above 55 degs. where they are placed, or they 
are very likely not to expand their flowers. 
Tuberoses. — These, if it be not already 
done, should be potted in rich sandy loam, in 
six-inch pots. They should be very sparingly 
supplied with water, until they have pushed 
vigorously, when the supply should be liberal, 
and all care should be taken,by placing them near 
the glass, to keep them as dwarf as possible : 
their great height, under the most favourable 
growth, being the great defect in this plant. 
Cacti. — Introduce a fresh supply of these 
showy plants during the month, including now 
Cereus speciosissimus. When once fairly 
started these plants like a liberal supply of 
water. 
Achimenes.— These plants, and their allies 
the Gesneras, &c, should be placed near the 
glass, in the hottest part of the house, and re- 
ceive all the encouragement in watering, &c. 
consistent with their progress. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Sfc. — A regular succes- 
sion of bulbs of this description should be 
maintained, as those previously introduced are 
removed. By the end of the month, however, 
they will be found to advance fast enough into 
flower in a pit or green-house ; and therefore 
the number brought into the forcing-house 
may be reduced. 
Lily of the Valley. — Maintain a good supply 
by introducing the best established plants, 
exciting them very gradually. 
Pinks and Carnations. — These are gene- 
rally wanted in considerable quantities, there-' 
