440 
forcing-house toe. flowers. 
dressing them, and renewing the surface soil, 
if this is at all requisite. Plants in this state 
must be kept moderately moistened. 
Zygopetalums. — When these plants com- 
mence their growth, which generally happens 
about this season of the year, they should be 
repotted, into pots of suitable size, three-parts 
filled with potsherds, and the remainder coarse 
peat raised two inches or so above the pot. 
They must be kept in a moist growing tem- 
perature. 
Epidendrums, Brassias, and 31axillarias, 
of various kinds, will probably be in the same 
state as the Zygopetalums ; and in that case 
require to be similarly treated. 
Insects. — The time that is now unoccupied 
by pursuits so pressing and varied as those 
which present themselves during summer, 
may be usefully employed in examining the 
plants, and destroying any insects that may 
infest them, particularly those of the coccus 
family, which soon render the plants filthy 
if not removed ; various mixtures and washes 
are recommended for this purpose, but there 
is nothing better than clean water, a sponge, 
and a little care and patience. 
FORCING-HOUSE FOR FLOWERS. 
Temperature, fyc. — Where flower-forcing 
is carried on to any extent, the house is re- 
quired to be in regular work by the middle or 
end of this month at the latest, and therefore 
the internal conditions of the atmosphere must 
be steadily and regularly maintained. When 
the house is first closed, so to speak, sufficient 
ventilation must be maintained to keep the 
temperature but very little raised above the 
external air, the minimum being about 50 degs. 
by night, and 60 degs. by day : all sudden 
transitions must be carefully avoided, as well 
as cold draughts of air. 
Watering. — This operation should be at- 
tended to regularly, the quantity being re- 
gulated by the requirements of each individual 
plant : take care that none become soddened 
in their pots, on account of the retentive 
nature of the soil, whether natural or artificial ; 
and on the other hand, be equally careful that 
by porosity of soil, or by the drying of the 
earth, the water does not escape from the pot, 
without thoroughly soaking the soil. The 
atmosphere of the house should also be kept 
moist, by keeping the paths wet. 
Moses. — Towards the end of the month, a 
quantity of these should be introduced, so as 
to have them in bloom about Christmas. Ex- 
amine the state of their roots, especially as to 
any danger of the earth becoming soddened. 
Clean the pots and surface of the mould, and 
also prune them if they require it ; but they 
ought to have been got into shape by the 
summer pruning, so as to be now well furnished 
with fine plump buds, on short shoots. The 
Chinese Eoses will be blooming freely in the 
pits, and will need little or no house treat- 
ment yet. 
Pelargoniums. — Those cut down and grown 
in pits for early forcing, should receive their 
final shift in the beginning of the month, and 
be placed in the green-house until wanted to 
force. Use a rich loamy soil, and moderate- 
sized pots, being guided in this by the situa- 
tions they will be required to decorate even- 
tually. For these purposes a considerable 
number in small pots is very often handy for 
filling baskets, and vases, where plants in 
large pots would make a very poor show. 
Hyacinths. — Some of these treated as 
formerly advised, will be found rooted suffi- 
ciently by the end of the month, to be taken 
into the house. They should be forced very 
gradually, or they will draw up very weak. 
About the same time a fresh lot should be 
potted, and treated as before stated. 
Narcissus. — These should receive just the 
same treatment as the last. Both require a 
considerable supply of water, but care must be 
taken that it does not stagnate about them, or 
the roots will speedily rot. 
Tulips. — The Tournesol and Van Thol 
tulips, both the single and double varieties of 
each, may be included as requiring the same 
treatment as the two last. 
Crocuses and Snowdrops. — These must also 
be similarly treated, recollecting to pot them 
very thick, the bulbs touching each other, or 
they will hardly make sufficient show to 
reward the trouble taken with them. 
Lilacs, and other hardy shrubs, should be 
introduced, and forced slowly at first, or as the 
cold dull weather comes on, their flowers are 
apt to perish without expanding. 
American plants. — The same remarks apply 
here. Be certain that the ball of roots is 
thoroughly moist all through, or the flowers 
will fall without expanding, and the plant will 
also most probably perish. 
Hydrangeas. — A few of these may be put 
in, and kept well watered. When once in 
good growth they require a pan under them, 
which should seldom be without water, 
Lily of the Valley, if introduced, should be 
kept in the coolest part of the house, and be 
brought forward very slowly, as it is very apt 
to come blind, especially if the plants are 
recently potted. 
PITS AND FRAMES. 
Almost all green-house plants may be kept 
in frames during the winter, if they are pro- 
perly prepared for their reception, and are 
efficiently protected during frosty weather; but 
if there is green-bouse room, it is more advan- 
tageous to have only a few duplicates of the 
