532 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 
General Directions. — "When no great altera- 
tions are being effected, a tidiness and fresh- 
ness must characterize the whole : indeed, the 
shrubbery should be very lively, aye "clothed 
in living green," whilst the Christmas Rose, 
the Arbutus, the Laurustinus, the Caprifo- 
lium, &c. will make it cheerful to walk in. 
The flower garden now must occupy much 
thought ; it is well to have a plan, so arranged 
as to be a guide in determining what plants 
will be wanted to fill the beds next year. 
Have the cutting frame or pit early in opera- 
tion. Neither waste time nor space in in- 
creasing plants for this object, merely because 
they are new ; they must have bright colours, 
good habits, or strong odours, before they 
can be worthy of being substituted for many 
of the bedding-out plants now common. A 
little thought on this matter will show that 
justice has not been done to many things 
which are not new, but possessed of properties 
which with proper attention and being put in 
masses, have a fine effect. The protection of 
tender plants, the sweeping and rolling of the 
lawn, wheeling and turning composts, and 
digging-in the same, also a general pruning of 
the evergreens, if not done, should be pro- 
ceeded with. Nothing can be added by way of 
detail further than this, that the sooner bulbs, 
shrubs, and hardy herbaceous plants are in 
the position they are to flower in, the better. 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
In case of severe weather even the hardiest 
shrubs and evergreens will be benefited by 
protection, either afforded by removal into the 
house, or by the fitting of canvass or other 
screens over the balconies or other situations 
in which they are placed. Every plant not 
perfectly hardy must be kept under cover in 
all but the finest weather, when there is no 
frost, in which case they should have all the air 
they can get ; and such a time should also be 
taken advantage of to wash and clean such as 
are getting dusty or dirty. Water may also 
be rather freely applied at such times, but it 
should always be done early in the morning. 
If any of the plants get frosted, remove them 
to a shady situation the first thing in the 
morning, and syringe them well with cold water. 
Bulbs, such as hyacinths, crocus, &c, should 
be brought forward regularly in a warm place 
to succeed those previously advanced. The 
single hyacinths will be found the best for 
early forcing ; the double varieties being gene- 
rally much later in flowering. 
Begonias. — Still keep the bulbs in a state 
of rest, allowing no moisture — unless they 
shrivel too much. 
Camellias. — Increase the quantity of water 
to such as are advancing, but be careful not 
to apply too much ; a i'aw more may be 
advanced in the same way as pointed out last 
month. 
Cinerarias. — Allow some of the most for- 
ward to shoot up for flowering, giving all the 
air the weather will allow. Water cautiously 
in gloomy weather. 
Fuchsias. — Maintain these in a dry state of 
rest, applying no water unless absolutely ne- 
cessary. 
Geraniums. — Still keep these as dry as 
practicable, guarding against frost, by which 
they are soon destroyed : cover them up well, 
if no fire can be made near them, but mind 
they do not get too dry if the fire heat be long 
continued. 
JSTyrtles and similar evergreens should 
have all the air the state of the weather will 
permit, and should be often examined to see 
that they do not suffer for want of water. 
Hoses. — The Chinese varieties should be 
continued in a warm place, giving them all 
the air possible, and using water with great 
caution. 
Primulas. — Protect from cold, keeping the 
plants rather dry in damp gloomy weather. 
Give a slight shift to any that may require it, 
and water very cautiously for a time after- 
wards. 
Violets. — Attend to previous directions, 
and be very particular in the application of 
moisture. 
Wardian Cases. — G-uard against damp and 
frost. The latter would do much damage 
even to common hardy plants if it once pene- 
trate to them when placed in such conditions 
as those they are exposed to in these cases. It 
is therefore advisable to keep the plants and 
the earth in which they grow in as dry a state 
as their well-being will permit. But they 
should not be liable to be affected by frost; 
all moveable cases should be put safely under 
cover during night and unfavourable periods ; 
and such as are stationary outside the house 
should be well protected by mats from the 
severity of the weather. In order to keep the 
plants dry and healthy, air should be given as 
often as possible, and they should be also 
examined at the same time, and insects, dead 
leaves, &c. removed as often as necessary. 
PITS AND FRANCES. 
The principal operations will consist in pro- 
viding means to resist the increase of cold, 
and to prevent the effect of damp on the 
plants, by means of airing and the occasional 
use of fires in such of the pits as are con- 
structed for that purpose. 
Annuals. — Give air by tilting the lights 
whenever the weather permits, and use water 
only where absolutely necessary, and then in 
very small quantities ; remove the covering 
a veiy day except in the most severe weather, 
