FORCING HOUSE FOR FLOWFRS. 
105 
perly arranged on its block or billet of wood, 
and set to grow freely till November; the 
syringe may be frequently used to it. 
Vanda, Aerkles, Saccolabium, and the 
allied most beautiful Orchids, require from 70 
to 80, or even 90 degrees of heat, when grow- 
ing, which they will do soon ; they also require 
plenty of moisture. 
Maxillaria, Anguloa, Lycaste, <$ - c, re- 
quire less heat, and, being in a growing con- 
dition, require to be attended, with that object 
in view. 
Barheria, Epidendrum, Oncidium, fyc, 
must be similarly treated. 
Dendrobiums should be placed at the 
warmest end of the house; they will soon 
begin to grow. 
FORCING HOUSE FOE FLOWERS. 
Temperature. — As the days lengthen so 
the heat in this structure must be increased, 
to keep the temperature in strict accordance 
with the increased excitability of the plants, 
consequent on the longer duration of light ; 
but such additional heat must not be so great 
as to draw or weaken the plants ; while at 
night it may descend as low as 50 degrees, in 
order to strengthen the plants, and enable them 
to meet the next day's excitement. 
Watering. — The supply of water to almost 
all plants being forced should also be in- 
creased, especially in bright weather, and very 
particular attention should be paid to keeping 
the atmosphere in a regular mild humid state, 
especially in bright, cold, windy weather. 
The application of water to the roots should 
be done chiefly in the morning, giving com- 
paratively little at night, in order that the 
plants may not be weakened by taking up too 
much of it during the hours of darkness, 
when they cannot properly assimilate their 
food. 
Insects. — It is almost needless to insist on 
the necessity of continual watchfulness, in 
order to keep under these troublesome pests 
which seem to particularly affect plants under 
artilicial treatment : but as the season ad- 
vances so do they become more numerous, 
and require constant vigilance to destroy them, 
or check their ravages. Pursue the course 
previously recommended for the green-fly 
whenever it appears. The thrip and red 
Bpider will also become troublesome if a re- 
gular moist heat, and syringing the plants 
once or twice a day, be neglected. To get rid 
of these insects the flues or pipes should be 
sprinkled or trashed with flour of sulphur, and 
r\cn the plants dusted on the under sides of 
their leaves, in particular if liie insects multi- 
ply very rapidly, which however can hardly 
be the cose if a moist temperature is properly 
maintained. Tobacco-smoke is also of great 
use in destroying the thrip. 
Moses. — Introduce a fresh supply to succeed 
those brought in last month ; and towards the 
end of the month a few more may be placed 
in heat, some of which will almost last until 
those in the open ground are in flower. 
Attend particularly to the grubs attacking the 
buds and leaves. 
American plants. — Keep up the supply by 
introducing fresh plants as those in bloom are 
removed. Be particular that the}' never be- 
come dry at the root, as their fibres are so 
fine as to be damaged by very little dryness, 
and in that case the loss of flowers and leaves 
is generally tne result. 
Lilacs, Deutzias, and others, may also be 
brought forward, but will hardly be so much 
wanted now as earlier in the season, when few 
green- house plants were in flower. 
Hydrangeas. — Introduce a succession, plac- 
ing them in pans, and supplying them abun- 
dantly with moisture, and occasionally with 
manure-water. 
Tuberoses should be kept in a good heat, 
and also where they may have the advantage 
of light and air, in order to keep them as 
dwarf as possible. Let a neat stake be put to 
them as soon as the flower stalk begins to 
elongate, so as to lessen the chances of its 
being broken. 
Cacti. — Introduce a fresh supply of these 
gay plants, gradually increasing the quantity 
of water, and occasionally giving them some 
manure-water as they advance in growth. 
One of the best kinds of manure-water for 
this purpose is made by putting a quantity of 
pigeon's dung into a tub or barrel, and filling 
it up with water; stir them together, and use 
the liquid when it becomes clear. When the 
water becomes pale, and is not of a clear 
light brown colour, put in more dung, and by 
this means a good supply is easily maintained, 
which will be found very useful in all depart- 
ments of the garden as well as here in parti- 
cular. 
Lily of the Valley. — A few plants may be 
still introduced, in order to maintain a good 
supply. Keep them in the coolest part of the 
house, and let them be well watered. 
Achimenes, Gloxinias, and allied plants, 
should be plunged near the glass, and keep 
them moist as they advance. .Shift them 
to larger pots as the roots advance, and 
watch narrowly for thrip and red spider, 
which soon damage the soft succulent foliage 
of these plants. 
Pinlts and Carnations. — Continue to bring 
in fresh supplies of these plants as those pre- 
viously introduced are removed. Flace them 
in a cool part of the house, and examine 
closely lor snails and slugs. 
