62 
THE FLORIST. 
kinds of Rhododendrons. Syringe two or three times daily, water when 
necessary. 
Forcing Ground. —Keep up linings to hotbeds in operation. Make 
fresh beds for Asparagus to come into use after those now at work. 
See to successional crops of Seakale and Rhubarb. Plant Ash-leaved 
Kidney Potatoes in pits or frames on a nice steady bottom heat. Keep 
them near the glass and give them plenty of air; when they begin to 
grow they will need attention in watering, &c. Sow Radishes and 
Horn Carrots, on slight hotbeds. Sow Mustard and Cress weekly for 
succession. If not already done, put some roots of Tarragon and Mint 
into heat to force. 
Fruit (hardy). —Though the autumn is, without question, the best 
time for planting, still the present is a very good time, weather, &c. 
being favourable; and where circumstances have prevented its being 
done in the autumn, we strongly recommend its being done imme¬ 
diately. All ground intended to be planted should be well trenched 
and thoroughly drained, if it is required. In stiff heavy land roots 
should be kept as near the surface as possible. There is one thing that 
should be always borne in mind in the planting of fruit trees, and that 
is, that the borders should not be made too rich in manurial matters ; 
the evil consequences of which are that the trees acquire, when planted 
in highly enriched borders, a plethoric habit—they make gross watery 
shoots, which in nine seasons out of ten never ripen. From trees in 
this state there is nothing to be expected save disappointment; we may 
annually look for fruit and look in vain. In planting make good wide 
holes ; spread the roots well out, and see the soil fills up every space 
under and between the roots. Prune Apples and Pears, and if any of 
them are crowded with wood or spurs do not be frightened to thin them 
out well, always, of course, leaving the best. In fine weather prune 
and nail Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, and Cherries. Shorten 
back Raspberry Canes. Finish pruning of Gooseberry and Currant 
bushes, and dig the soil over. 
Fuchsias. —These may now be propagated freely in a little heat; 
cuttings struck now will make fine specimen plants, if well attended to 
and pushed along. Late autumn struck cuttings, or those struck 
during the winter, make fine pyramidal plants, if grown in a little heat 
from this time, by giving them plenty of root room. Old plants may 
now be shaken out of the old soil, and re-potted into pots about one- 
half the size of those used for blooming them in, after which place 
them in a moist, shady situation. The syringe should be drawn over 
them twice a day, morning and evening. Continue to propagate for 
late bloom. 
Greenhouse (hard-woodedplants). —Seize every opportunity to clean 
and tie out the specimen plants. Success in plant growing principally 
depends on constant attention to minutiae—in giving air, in watering, 
stopping, thinning, and tying out of shoots—in keeping down insects, 
&c. In frosty weather just keep as much artificial heat as is consistent 
with the well-being of the plants ; guard against what would excite a 
too early growth. Water in the morning, when it is necessary. Give 
air freely on fine days. Soft-wooded Plants. —The potting of these 
