208 
THE GREEN-IIOUSE. 
ing in of these must be strictly followed up ; 
at this time of year they grow very freely, and 
soon get jn a confused and disorderly state, 
unless well looked after in this respect. 
Insects. — Those of the scale or coccus 
tribe, can hardly be disturbed now in the large 
plants ; the winter affords both more time and 
a better opportunity to dislodge them ; the 
plants, if infested, may however be syringed 
with clear soot water. 
The red spider and thrip are more trouble- 
some at this time of year, and as the weather 
becomes hot they soon increase rapidly, es- 
pecially on those plants which have tender 
foliage : as soon as any are observed, they 
should be syringed frequently — once or twice 
a day at least — with clear soot water. If 
there are any of the green-fly or aphis, they 
must be destroyed with tobacco smoke or to- 
bacco water. 
THE GREEN-HOUSE. 
Many of the commoner plants may be re- 
moved from the greenhouses to a sheltered 
place in the open air, or to cold frames. Pot- 
ting and propagation may be proceeded with 
in good earnest. Very careful watering is 
necessary. 
House for Miscellaneous Plants. — 
The propagation of various favourite free 
flowering plants for blooming in autumn, and 
the early winter months, must be persevered 
in ; the plants raised this month will succeed 
those raised in April. The latter must be 
frequently repotted, so as to keep them grow- 
ing freely, and they must get all the air pos- 
sible in warm weather, so as not to become 
drawn up spindly, but to grow strong and 
bushy : to this end, also, they should get as 
much light as possible. What has been pre- 
viously said about having the soil regularly 
and evenly watered, must be attended to ; also 
the drainage in potting the plants ; and on no 
account should they be allowed to expand any 
flowers, until they are really wanted, but they 
are to be constantly removed in order to 
throw strength and energy into the plants. 
Temperature, Sfc. — The cooler the house 
can now be kept by means of perfect ventila- 
tion the better for the plants. Allow the 
sashes and ventilators to stand open night and 
day, unless the weather is very boisterous. 
Watering. — This is one of the most essen- 
tial of all operations at this season of the year, 
as far as potted plants are concerned. While 
the plants are in a growing condition, a de- 
ficiency in their supply of water will operate 
most seriously against their progress ; on the 
other hand, more than enough is injurious. 
What has already been said on the subject may 
be advantageously consulted. 
Pruning. — Continue to stop the growing 
shoots of all shrubby plants, before they have 
grown too long, in order to keep the plants 
bushy : the beauty of most plants, so far as 
habit is concerned, depends almost entirely on 
this, and a proper exposure to light during the 
period of their growth. When any old or 
large plants have got straggling, and it is in- 
tended to head them down, the sooner it is 
performed the better. Plants when so treated, 
should get much less water until they have 
shot out afresh ; and they should not be cut 
down unless they are healthy ; the young 
shoots when produced require attention ; first, 
in thinning them out to a proper number, well 
placed to form a handsome plant ; and then in 
stopping these selected shoots, to keep them 
close and bushy. 
Potting. — Eepot any plants that may have 
become pot-bound ; and also, those that are 
being grown on rapidly, when they have begun 
to fill their pots with roots. 
Cuttings may be taken off still, where it is 
desirable to propagate any of the plants by 
this mode; and seeds may also be sown, though 
they are better done earlier, — that is to say, 
the plants become better established by winter. 
13ulbs. — Early flowering bulbous plants 
will now be ripened or ripening off; and 
should get little or no water, according to their 
more or less advanced state of maturity ; when 
they are quite dried off, put them by in a cool 
dry place, till growing time. Others that 
are growing must be duly watered, as pre- 
viously directed. 
Chrysanthemums. — When cuttings were 
put in last month, they should be potted singly 
as soon as rooted well, into three or four inch 
pots according to their size, and set for a time 
in a sheltered (not shaded) place out of doors : 
they require abundance of water while grow- 
ing. A few more cuttings may be got in. 
Primulas. — In saving seeds of the Primula 
sinensis, choose the plants which produce the 
best formed, and the best coloured flowers, and 
save seeds from no other ; any very fine va- 
riety is worth keeping over till another year, 
but generally it is best to destroy them when 
flowering is over, and raise young plants for 
another season. A few seeds may be sown 
now, to follow those in succession which were 
sown last month. Florists make a fuss about 
the smooth-edged flowers, but the fringed ones 
are much the prettiest in an ornamental point 
of view. 
Thunbergias. — These require good large 
pots, and rich soil ; peat earth and decayed 
cow-dung are two ingredients they delight in. 
Melocacti. — Where the plants have been 
growing freely in a close moist heat, and have 
nearly completed their growth, they must be 
brought again gradually to the temperature of 
