GARDENING CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 
53:5 
to keep the plants from drawing up weak and 
becoming blanched. 
Half hardy plants, as calceolarias, petunias, 
verbenas, &c. — Maintain a dry atmosphere by 
the applying very little water, free ventila- 
tion, and the occasional use of fires to dry the 
pits. Cover up early in the afternoon, and 
never allow the mats or other material used to 
remain over the plants two days together if it 
can be avoided. 
Forcing Pit. — Keep up a medium tempe- 
rature, if anything a little higher than last 
month, giving air on all favourable occasions, 
and closing up early. Water sparingly in dull 
weather. Keep up the supply of roses and 
other shrubs by introducing fresh batches of 
them once or twice during the month, and re- 
move such as are far enough advanced to the 
conservatory. Also bring forward fresh batches 
of hyacinths and other bulbs ; and a few 
pinks, violets, lilies of the valley, &c. may 
be forwarded, observing to excite them very 
slowly at first. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Temperature. — From 40 to 50 degrees by 
day ; and from 36 to 40 degrees by night. 
Ventilation. — Give air on all fine days 
when not too cold, taking advantage of such 
times to dry the house with a little extra fire 
if the weather has been dull. Use as little fire 
at night as is possible, consistent with the 
safety of the plants. 
Watering. — Attend to previous directions, 
applying moisture with the greatest circum- 
spection at this dull period. 
Potting. — Avoid shifting the plants except 
where absolutely necessary, as the new soil 
round the roots is apt to be injurious, espe- 
cially if it gets too damp. All bad weather 
should be taken advantage of to wash and sort 
dirty pots, and collect crocks and drainage. A 
good supply of these various articles should 
always be kept at hand in a dry place. 
Soils. — Turn over compost heaps in dry 
frosty weather, exposing the interior to the 
action of the weather, and carefully picking 
out all grubs or other insects. Ridge the 
heaps up neatly, so as to save the mould from 
being too much washed by heavy rains. 
Dressing. — Keep a steady eye on the neat 
appearance of the house and plants, and re- 
stake and label any that may require it. 
Sticks and labels may also be prepared in bad 
weather, and be sorted and put by ready for 
use when required. 
Insects. — Look well after all insects, espe- 
cially green fly if the house receives much fire 
heat, when they will soon begin to increase 
too fast. 
Aloes and succulents generally, should still 
be kept dry, and not allowed to start in growth 
until the days begin to draw out considerably. 
Give very little water, just enough to keep 
them from shrivelling. 
Agaves and larger succulents should be 
treated as before recommended, receiving little 
or no water. 
Ahtromerias should still be kept cool and 
quiescent. A cold frame not too clamp is the 
best situation for them. Give all the air con- 
sistent with keeping the frost from the tubers. 
Annuals, such as are kept in the house, 
should enjoy as much air and light as possible, 
and such as are growing too fast may be 
topped in order to get them bushy. Water 
only when thoroughly necessary. 
Azaleas. — Maintain a succession of flowers 
by placing a few more plants in warmth, and 
remove such as are sufficiently advanced to 
the conservatory. Water rather freely as the 
plants begin to grow. 
Calceolarias — Keep these plants cool and 
airy, but beware of stagnant water or sod- 
dened mould about their roots. 
Camellias. — Keep up the succession of 
blooming plants by placing a few more in a 
slight heat, and increase of moisture ; remove 
such as are expanding their flowers to a warm 
part of the conservatory. 
Cape Bulbs, as ixias, gladiolus, &c. must 
still be kept dormant, in order to enable them 
to push with the greater vigour when potted 
and excited in the spring. 
Cephalotus follicular is (New Holland pitcher- 
plant). — Keep it protected from damp by 
raising the bell-glass, and allowing the super- 
fluous water about the roots to drain freely 
away. 
Cinerarias. — Forward such as require it 
by shifting, and place a few more of the most 
forward in heat, to keep up a succession of 
bloom. Water frequently ; a little clear 
manure-water may be used in fine weather. 
Chrysanthemums. — Continue to remove the 
plants from the house as they become shabby, 
and protect them in the best manner avail- 
able ; water regularly such as are still retained 
in the house. 
Crassulas, and allied plants, as sempervi- 
vum, should still be kept in a light dry ex- 
posure, and scantily watered. 
Cyclamens. — Encourage such as are grow- 
ing by placing them in a light airy situa- 
tion, and watering regularly but not too co- 
piously. 
Epacris. — A few plants may be placed in 
a slight heat, and the supply of water be 
gradually increased j keep the others cool 
and airy. 
Ericas. — Maintain the freest ventilation 
consistent with the safety of the plants from 
frost ; water just sufficiently to keep the roots 
in an equable moist state, and also to guard 
