FORCING HOUSE TOR FLOWERS. 
353 
axils of the leaves. Such plants as the Eran- 
themums, Aphelandras, &c., which bloom only 
at the points of the moderately strong shoots, 
must not be stopped, except during the earlier 
stages of their development, or all the flowers 
will be removed. The stopping of the lig- 
neous species is generally less necessary, than 
in the case of the half-shrubby ones ; but 
where they are forming strong irregular shoots 
it should be attended to. 
Maturing the Growth. — All the earlier 
flowering plants, that have completed their 
growth, should be treated with the view to 
ripen and mature the growth they have made : 
this is effected by keeping them somewhat 
drier — if shrubby or herbaceous, moderately 
so ; if bulbous or tuberous, they should be 
gradually dried off — in some cases entirely, in 
others almost entirely. At the same time 
that this treatment is given, the plants are to 
be kept fully exposed to light, and also to 
the direct sun (except in peculiar instances, 
as in some Ferns). The same kind of treat- 
ment should be afforded, from time to time, 
to different plants, as they complete their 
growth. 
Achimenes. — A few cuttings should be put 
in, of some of the kinds to flower late. A. 
pedunculata and A. hirsuta, are suitable for 
this. Young plants of A. picta raised now 
and well managed will flower next March. 
Balsams. — Cuttings selected from the 
best of the varieties now flowering in the 
green-house, planted in light soil, placed in 
a dung-bed, and subsequently removed to 
the stove, and repotted, will furnish neat 
blooming plants in October ; they afford some 
variety of blossom. 
Amaryllis. — When the different Ama- 
ryllids are ripening their leaves, which will 
generally be the case, the bulbs should be 
gradually dried off, and set away in a dry 
place, not too warm. As they are wanted to 
come into bloom, pot them afresh, in a mix- 
ture of loam and peat, and remove them to the 
stove to start them. Unless the bulbs are 
strong, and were well matured in their growth 
the previous season, they will not usually pro- 
duce flowers. 
Winter flowering Plants. — Encourage now 
the growth of all the stock provided for winter 
blooming, including such plants as Eranthe- 
mums, Justicias, Aphelandras, &c. : let them, 
however, be encouraged to make sturdy 
growth, not coarse long watery shoots, which 
never flower satisfactorily. 
ORCHIDACEOUS HOUSE. 
The Orchids must share in the com- 
mencement of a more rigid discipline, as the 
end of summer approaches, but it need not yet 
be carried beyond the point recommended, 
namely, just commenced, and that in an almost 
insensible proportion. 
Temperature, <Jv. — -The temperature may 
range from 75 to 80 degrees during the day, 
and at about an average of 65 degrees at 
night. Towards the end of the month it may 
fall two or three degrees ; and at that period 
too a somewhat less amount of moisture may 
be maintained. In other respects the general 
treatment given at p. 293 may be continued. 
Shading. — If permanent shading is fixed 
on the house, it would be well to change it for 
some of a slighter nature sometime during the 
month, as a graduated step towards removing 
it entirely. Where the shading material is 
mounted on rollers, and is in consequence 
moveable, the same result may be secured, by 
emplo3'ing it less frequently — only when the. 
sun is very bright indeed. In the culture of 
plants, no change of treatment of any kind 
should be brought about suddenly. 
Dendrobiums. — The species which flower 
when the plant is at rest, that is, after growth, 
such as D. nobile, coerulescens, &c, should 
be placed in the cooler house, where they get 
more air : little water must be given for some 
weeks, and the flower buds will then be pro- 
duced. Those species, on the other hand, 
which flower just before they commence grow- 
ing, such as D. densiflorum, aggregatum, &c, 
require warmer treatment ; they should be 
kept in the warm house with little water, 
until the flower-buds are seen. 
Potting. — Continue the top dressing, and 
shifting such of the plants as require it. 
Those which hang on blocks, or are suspended 
in baskets, should have sphagnum moss, or 
lumps of turfy peat placed about their roots, 
where they require it. 
In addition to the native Hydrocotyle vul- 
garis, and some of the smaller Lycopodiums, 
mentioned as being suitable for running over 
and ornamenting the pots and baskets in which 
Orchids are planted, the native Sibthorpia 
europa^a, with small reniform leaves and slen- 
der trailing stems, may be employed for the 
same purpose. There are doubtless many other 
plants, which may be so employed. 
FORCING HOUSE FOR FLOWERS. 
Nearly all the operations connected with 
this department, have been carried on out of 
doors, or under slight protection, for some 
time ; but it is now necessary to begin to 
think of providing more efficient protection for 
many of the plants which will be required for 
decorative purposes in winter and early spring. 
To this end, pits, frames, and temporary shad- 
Lags of various sorts will be found very useful. 
Cacti, which have been placed out to per- 
fect their growth, should now be well pro- 
tected from heavy rains, or taken into a dry 
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