534 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 
against any excess of moisture either at the 
roots or anywhere in the house. Never use 
fire to these plants unless in cases of absolute 
necessity, and then ventilate freely. 
Fuchsias. — Still keep these in a state of rest, 
unless any are wanted to propagate from, when 
they may be gradually excited, so as to furnish 
cuttings in a month or two. 
Gompholobiums and slender creepers should 
be kept as previously recommended, great care 
being taken to prevent danger to the roots by 
over watering. 
Haworthias, Apicras, &c. — Keep these 
plants still in a dry state, using water only 
when necessary to keep them alive. 
Helichrysums. — "Water carefully and pre- 
serve the plants from damp and cold. 
Leschenaultias. — Keep these in a dry place, 
and use water with great caution, in order to 
prevent the decay and death of the plants 
by piecemeal. 
Lilium japonicum (Japan lily). — Keep 
these roots still dormant, as the growth they 
could make during the present dull weather 
could hardly produce a fine bloom. 
Mignonette. — Keep all the plants in a cool 
dry situation, watering with great caution. 
Trim up the tree mignonette as previously 
recommended, and guard against green fly. 
New Holland plants, as acacias, hoveas, 
bossiams, &c. should still be kept cool and 
airy, and should be regularly and very care- 
fully watered. A few small plants of Acacia 
armata may be placed in the forcing-house, 
and gradually brought forward. 
Orange trees. — Water carefully and give 
plenty of air. A few of the smaller plants 
may be placed in heat for the sake of their 
fragrant blossoms. 
Oxalis. — Keep these dry and as dormant as 
possible ; even the stemmed species require 
very little water now. 
Pelargoniums. — Maintain these in a gently 
growing state, giving air as often as possible 
to prevent their drawing up weakly, and stop 
and regulate the branches, using as few sticks 
for supports as possible. Water regularly but 
not too freely yet. Introduce a succession to 
the forcing-house as often as necessary. 
Primulas. — Shift such as require larger 
pots, and remove the flowers from such plants 
as are wanted vei'y strong to flower late in 
the season. Keep the plants rather moist and 
airy, removing all damp or decaying leaves as 
soon as they change. 
Proteus, Banhsias, Dryandras, &c. — 
Continue these in a light airy place, watering 
with great caution. 
Rhododendrons. — Continue the previous 
treatment, using water with circumspection. 
Introduce a few more to the forcing-house, 
and remove those sufficiently advanced in 
bloom to the conservatory. Increase the 
allowance of water to such as are being forced. 
Roses. — Any of the Chinese or allied sorts 
about to flower should be encouraged by a 
warm berth, and an increased supply of 
moisture. Those turned out in the house 
should not be excited yet, but be kept rather 
cool and dry. 
Salvias. — See former directions. All the 
sorts should be kept as dry as possible at the 
root, so long as they do not perish. 
Stapelias should be kept dormant until the 
spring is well advanced, as any growth they 
may make during winter will be far too weak 
to form stout flowering branches. 
Tropceolums. — Continue to carefully train 
those that have started, covering the bottom 
of the trellis well in the first instance. 
Water carefully, keeping the mould in a 
regular damp state, by no means soddened. 
Place the plants where they will get the 
full advantage of light and air, and not be 
liable to be drawn into a weak straggling 
growth. 
THE CONSERVATORY. 
Temperature. — About 55 degrees by day, 
and from 45 to 50 degrees by night. Apply 
fires in cold weather if the above heat cannot 
be maintained without. 
Ventilation. — Give air on all favourable 
opportunities, avoiding all strong draughts, 
and closing the house early in the afternoon. 
Watering. — Use water sparingly, but do 
not allow any plants to suffer for want of it. 
Plants in flower, especially those brought in 
from the forcing-pit, will of course require 
most, but it must be given cautiously even to 
these in gloomy weather. 
Arrangement. — Alterations in the grouping 
of the plants should be constantly studied, and 
different effects tried, so as to arrive at a 
knowledge of the arrangement best suited to 
the house. At this season an excellent effect 
may be produced by introducing baskets, 
vases, &c. at the intersections of the walks or 
in similar places, filled with hyacinths and 
other bulbs. One mass of bright colours seen 
thus is more effective than double the number of 
plants stuck about among those not in bloom. 
General Directions. — Attend to what has 
been said under this head in previous months. 
At this dull season the opportunity should 
be taken to search the plants for scale and 
other insects, and no pains should be spared 
to thoroughly extirpate them. Similar bad or 
broken weather should also be employed in 
providing a good supply of stakes and tallies 
of proper sizes, and also to use them when 
requisite. All permanent and large labels 
should also be renewed or repaired, as the time 
can be better spared now to have them done 
