498 
FORCING-HOUSE FOR FLOWERS. 
they are to be potted afresh, and started into 
growth ; some prefer to put them in smaller 
pots now for convenience of storing. 
Justicias, EraMhemums, and other plants 
provided for winter blooming, must be treated 
with a view to the development of their 
flowers ; that is, they must have light and 
heat in considerable proportions, and a corre- 
sponding degree of moisture. ■ 
Creepers for early blooming next year 
must be now pruned, if not yet done. 
Lantanas, Vincas, fyc, should be pruned in 
rather closely, put into smaller pots, and set 
away till spring. 
ORCHIDACEOUS HOUSE. 
The plants here will be mostly out of flower, 
and will in consequence require resting treat- 
ment. The necessity of employing two houses 
for these plants is less important at this period 
of the year than in the spring, for the hardier 
species may be rested in a dry green-house. 
Temperature, $c. — The average temper- 
ature for this month may be taken at 65 degs., 
far above which the heat should not be allowed 
to rise ; at night it may fall under 60 degs. 
with advantage. The premature growth of 
the plants should comparatively be prevented 
by keeping the house dry and cool. Air may 
be admitted so as to prevent the temperature 
rising too high, but beyond this it is not very 
essential. The atmosphere must be kept com- 
paratively dry. A cool system of treatment 
during resting-time is highly desirable. 
Watering. — But very little water must be 
directly applied, and only to plants which are 
in a growing state, and to small plants which 
it would be unsafe to allow to get too dry. 
The plants which grow on the blocks should 
also be examined, and get a little moisture as 
they may require it. 
Potting. — When any of the plants are be- 
ginning to grow, they may be potted if they 
require it ; and should be set in a favourable 
position for growing, that is, at the warmest 
end of the house ; they must also be supplied 
regularly with water. 
Plants in baskets, or on blocks hanging 
near the roof of the house, will be benefited 
by being lowered a little further than usual 
from the glass, as they will not be so liable to 
be subjected to alternations of temperature. 
Catesetums, Aerides, Saecolabiums, Cyrto- 
podiinns, and such plants as have completed 
their growth, may be gradually allowed to get 
comparatively dry, and in this state may 
remain till the spring. 
Insects. — If insects of any kind are to be 
found on any of the plants, let it be a work of 
solicitude to remove them as soon as possible. 
Matters of this kind afford employment for wet 
days and severe weather, when little else could 
be done with advantage. 
FORCING-noUSE FOR FLOWERS. 
Temperature, fyc. — At this season of the 
year, the temperature should be kept as 
steady as possible ; for, as but little very 
bright weather is to be expected, any con- 
siderable fluctuations of heat without the ac- 
cessory condition of increased light will only 
tend to draw and weaken the plants submitted 
to its influence. A variation between 50 degs. 
and 60 degs. will be found suitable. 
Watering. — For the reasons assigned above, 
this operation must also be carefully attended 
to. The house should be kept rather dry 
than moist in gloomy days, there being then 
generally enough of moisture in the atmo- 
sphere. Be particularly careful that none of 
the plants during a continuance of such 
weather are kept too damp about the roots ; 
such as have pans under their pots would be 
better set out of them, and the usual allow- 
ance of water should be considerably curtailed. 
Insects. — In this confined structure vegeta- 
tion will have hardly commenced before the 
green fly will begin its ravages. Immediately 
it is perceived, the best plan is to commence 
fumigating with tobacco, and persist in the 
use of the bellows as long as the pests are 
visible ; and as, in consequence of the con- 
tinual introduction of fresh plants with fresh 
colonies of the fly on them, they will be visible 
as long as the house is used, the best plan 
will be to fumigate every fortnight regularly, 
doing it effectually each time ; or if the insect 
does not seem destroyed the next morning 
then give them another dose in the evening 
This seldom fails to cure the evil for the tim; 
being. Be very attentive in picking over th' 
roses for the " worm i'th' bud ;" the bud ma; 
often be saved by minute and constant search 
Moses. — Introduce another batch, taking 
those plants which were forced at the sam; 
season last year, as before recommended! 
Syringe them every day, so as to wash the 
bark, and keep it clear of dirt and dust. R , 
Pelargoniums. — Keep up the supply by. 
putting in a few more. Be particular not to'' 
syringe them too much in gloomy weather, as ' 
the leaves are very liable to spot and mildew. . 
Hyacinths. — These should be introduced 
now in considerable abundance, as no flower 
tends so much to enliven the conservatory in 
the dull months both with colour and fra- 
grance. The single varieties are far pre- 
ferable for forcing at all times, but especially 
at this season. Bring them forward gradually, 
keeping them near the light when they begin 
to grow, in order to keep them as dwarf as 
possible. 
Narciss, Tulips, cj-c, should also be brought 
forward in quantity, and in the same way as 
the last. 
