32 
THE FLORIST. 
temperature, but whilst in flower a night temperature of 50*^ is 
sufficient; it should not fluctuate much either above or below this. 
Air should be given freely when the weather permits, and as early in 
the day as it can safely be given. Set second houses to work, so as to 
come in after the early house is done. Give the inside borders a good 
watering. Syringe with tepid water two or three times daily; they 
will not want much fire-heat, if the weather be mild, for a few weeks. 
Pelargoniums .—These should be watered but sparingly for the next 
few weeks, when, should the weather be mild, they will require more 
water and close attention. Now will be a good time to tie out the 
shoots of the large plants, or young ones intended to form specimens. 
This is a simple and easy process, and has on many occasions been ♦ 
treated of in these pages. Allow no dead foliage to remain on the 
plants, or dust or dirt on the green leaves ; all should be kept perfectly 
clean. 
Pinery .—Plants in fruit will require a rather high temperature and 
a moist atmosphere, and occasional supplies of water, until the fruit 
approach maturity, when it should be altogether withheld; give a little 
air when the weather permits. Keep a steady bottom heat, and a 
temperature at night of about 60°, and by day of about 70°, to young 
plants. Do not give any water this month, if they will do without. 
Pleasure Grounds .—Plant in open weather trees and shrubs of all 
kinds, and mulch well about the roots. Protect from severe frosts any 
plants that are at all tender, or supposed to be so. Push forward all 
alterations as much as possible, so as not to interfere with the ordinary 
operations. 
Strawberries .—Give those in flower all the air possible. Water 
carefully. Put others into heat for successional crops. 
Vinery .—Look well to the coverings of outside borders, and see there 
is sufficient to keep a nice steady heat. Keep a dry night temperature 
of 65° for Hamburgh, and 70° for Muscats, with an increase of a few 
degrees in day-time by sun heat. Tie down shoots, stop laterals, and 
thin as soon as the berries are formed. Commence second house with 
a nice genial atmosphere of about 45° artificial heat, and towards the 
end of the month increase it eight or ten degrees. 
During the duration of frosty weather the florist should carefully 
examine his stock of things required when the exhibitions commence. 
Now let boxes required for the conveyance of blooms, &c., be repaired 
and painted. Exhibition stands should be annually re-painted and 
varnished. Look well also to glasses, shades, stakes, cards. Carnation 
pins, and the many other things without which an exhibitor’s stock is 
incomplete ; none of these but what will require examination and 
putting in order, that they may be fit for use at a moment’s notice, 
when the time for their required service arrives. Remember the old 
adage—as important in its application to the florist as to any other pro¬ 
fession or calling—“ A place for every thing, and every thing in its 
place.” Face old number sticks, and attend minutely to the many in¬ 
door occupations that can be engaged in when out-door operations are 
in any degree suspended. 
