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THE GAnDKNERS' AND NATURALISTS' CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
counting for the isolated positions they fretiiiently 
occupy in their natural state. The principal ditficulty 
to contend with in rcai'ing the young seedlings has been 
found to consist in their treatment during the iii'st year, 
parlicidarly the winter months, when they are very liable 
to perish, if anything approaching to exti'emes of moist- 
ure, draught, cold, or even heat be permitted ; though a 
steady medium of all these requisites is necessary. The 
second year's growth has been one during which the 
plants made much progress, and the only two kinds 
which have been brought to a flowering state have 
bloomed the third season. These are Epidcndnim crassi- 
folium, and Phaius albus. — J). Moore^ in Gard. Citron. 
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Cmiservatm-y. — During the present cold and parching 
weather, it will be necessary to ventilate cautiously, 
more especially near newly potted plants, or delicate and 
tender flowers, and particularly those from the stove, 
orchid, or forcing house. Now, however, that the plants 
arc beginning to grow, it is necessary that air should be 
freely admitted, and therefore it will be better that a little 
extra firing should be used, than that the plants should 
become di'awn for the want of air. Too much attention 
cannot be devoted to cleanliness. Every plant, and 
every pot, and, indeed, every part of the Conservatory, 
should be perfectly clean, and at all times ; and if they 
are not so at present, lose no time in making them so. 
Camellias, and all plants with large, coriaceous leaves, 
should be washed clean with a sponge, and, if neces- 
sary, soft soap, and keep a scrutinizing eye upon in- 
sects of aU kinds. Maintain a moist gromng tempera- 
ture by syringing lightly every morning with clean 
tepid water, and sprirdde the stages and vacant parts of 
the house, once or twice in the middle of dry days, to 
generate a moist atmosphere. '\\Tien strong winds pre- 
vail, ventilate principally by the top-lights, but lose no 
opportunity of giving front air when the Avoather is 
suitable. Towards the end of the month, if the weather 
is mild, a little night air may be left on ; that is, after 
the house has been shut up for a few hours, and 
syringed, a little air may be given to one or two 
of the lights before leaving for the night. Acacias, 
Camellias, &c., which are going out of bloom, must 
have their dead flowers removed, and if they require 
pruning and regulating, this is the proper time. Ile- 
new the surface soil down to the roots of the jjlants 
with light rich compost — previously, if the soil is dry, 
giving the soil a good soaking of liquid manvu'e. Many 
of the finer kinds of Boronias, Leschenanltias, Choro- 
zcmas, Podolobiums, Tropa3olums, &c., will now be in a 
fit state to remove to the conservatory. Place them in 
the most airy part, and to prolong their season of 
blooming, shade them on bright days. Regulate the 
growth of Climbers, and give them a good soaldng of 
manure water. Maintain a temperatm-e of 45 to 50 
degrees by night, rising 10 or 15 degrees in the day 
time. 
Orangery. — To do justice to the Citrus family, the 
temperature should not fall below 50 degrees by fire 
heat during the night, and should rise to 60 degrees by 
the same agency during the day, with ten or fifteen 
degrees extra by sun heat. Sp-inge the plants morn- 
ing and evening, and damp the heating apparatus 
twice or thrice a-day, especially in the evening. Take 
care that the plants are perfectly free from insects and 
filth of all kinds. Any plants that are in bad health, or 
have been recently imported, should be shook clean out 
of the old soil, have their roots washed quite clean, and 
be potted into very small pots, in light rich soil, 
liberally intermixed with leaf mould and sand. Plunge 
the pots in a gentle bottom heat of SO degrees, syringe 
so as to keep the wood almost constantly moist, but 
water cautiously at the root until the plants get into 
fi-ee growth. If the stems are very much bark-bound, 
make an incision through the hark, and continue it 
from the surface of the pot to the extremity of the 
strongest branches. It may also be necessary to wrap 
the stem with damp moss. When the plants arc in free 
growth, water freely with weak liquid manure. 
Forcing Flower House. — Continue to introduce Roses, 
Pinks, and American plants for forcing, and remove 
those in bloom to the conservatory. A few more 
Achimencs, Gloxinias, Gesneras, &c., may he started, 
and those growing must be potted and attended to im- 
mediately. Syringe daily, and guard carefully against 
insects. Temperature 55 to 60 degrees by night, 
rising 70 or 80 by day, with plenty of air at aU 
favourable opportunities, but carefully avoiding cold 
draughts. Plants that have been forced and have done 
blooming, must be carefully protected imtil the return 
of mild weatlier. A. 
Orchid House. — Now that the growing season has ar- 
rived the whole tribe of Orchids will enjoy a good 
steaming every clear morning, with the exception of 
such as are wanted to he kept back. These should re- 
main cool and dry; let them have but little sunshine, 
and no cold draughts. By this means they may bo 
retarded several weeks where needful for cxhibitioual 
purposes. Be cautious Mith the syringe for the pre- 
sent, imtil all the Dendrobiums, Aerides, Saccolabiums, 
Camarotis, and Vandas, have put forth their bloom 
spikes at the least an inch or two, when they will he 
all the better for a thorough soaking in tepid water, 
taking care at the same time to rid all the baskets, pots, 
and blocks of all kinds of vermin. After this the syringe 
may be applied regularly, but with care, and using at 
aU times water at least as warm as the atmosphere of 
the house, the temperatirre of which may now be al- 
lowed to range as high as 70 to 80 degrees by day, and 
may safely and beneficially be allowed to go down as 
low as 60 degrees \r^ night. Admit a little air on all 
favoiu'able occasions, when it is externally mild. Con- 
tinue potting all such as need it, as soon as they show 
signs of growth. Look the plants over every day, and 
water singly all which require it ; hut avoid watering 
over head imtil the psoudo-hidbs are well formed, other- 
wise they are very apt to damp off in dull weather. Wo 
would here remind cultivators of this lovely and ciurious 
tribe of plants, that, where good, light fibrous peat is 
not to be procured, the plants do equally well in good, 
sweet sphagnum moss, mixed with lumps of chai'coal 
and crocks. To make this house as enjoyable as possi- 
ble, everything must be neat and clean, and kept in its 
proper place. 
Stove. — FoUow out former directions, and where there 
is convenience give to all young Stove plants the aid of 
bottom heat, giving at the same time plenty of air in 
mild weather, and keep them as near to the glass as 
possible. Keep them wcU stopped back and staked out, 
and give to each plenty of room. Give a sharp look 
out for all sorts of noxious vermin, and destroy them. 
Keep the atmosphere moist, and attend to the training 
of climbers that need it. See that all plants in pots 
are fi'equently tirrned, in order that the plants may have 
