350 
THE FLORIST. 
Carnations and Picotees. —Treat these plants nearly similar to the 
Auricula, so long as wet weather continues, and water but sparingly in 
clear weather. Cleanliness, with plenty of light and air, is the principal 
thing to attend to to ensure success. 
Cinerarias. —Mildew is often troublesome at this season ; dust with 
sulphur the parts affected as soon as it appears. Those for exhibition 
or home decoration will require a final shift 'this month, using a good 
rich compost, composed of good fibrous loam, well decayed leaves, and 
stable manure, with an admixture of sand. Look well to those intended 
for exhibition, and peg down the larger leaves so as to admit the light 
and air to the centre of the plants. Place thin, and keep as near the 
glass as possible. Fumigate occasionally to prevent the green-fly; and 
give all the air possible, avoiding cold draughts, which cause the leaves 
to curl. 
Cold Frames. —It is of the utmost consequence that plants in frames 
have particular and steady attention during winter. Every thing that 
may cause the plants to grow should be carefully guarded against; as 
the more perfect the rest, the better will the plants push forth in spring. 
Give abundance of air, and when the weather is favourable draw off the 
lights during the day. Carefully guard against damp. Water only 
when absolutely necessary. Be careful to cover up well at night against 
frost. 
Conservatory and Show-house. —Give air liberally to those houses 
by opening the lights early on fine days ; but be careful to shut up 
every evening, as severe frosts sometimes come unexpectedly at this 
time of the year. Do not use more fire heat at present than is abso¬ 
lutely necessary. Water carefully when requisite. Pay the greatest 
attention to cleanliness and order. Do not let a decayed leaf or flower 
of anything be seen. Chrysanthemums, in which there has been of late 
years so great an improvement, will now be in all their beauty; they 
should have some weak manure water occasionally ; all the small weak 
buds should be thinned out, and the others will bloom all the finer ; 
these, with Camellias, Chinese Primroses, Gesneras, &c., will give these 
houses a gay and cheerful appearance at this season of the year. A 
few good specimens of plants remarkable for “ fine foliage ” will give 
greater variety and interest. 
Cucumbers. —If former directions have been attended to the plants 
for winter bearing will now be in a forward state; keep them thin of 
wood by stopping lateral shoots and removing some where crowded, so 
that they may receive all the light possible in every part of the house. 
Keep up a good bottom of heat about 85 degrees, and a moist 
growing atmosphere ; keep a temperature of from 65 to 70 degrees 
by night, and from 70 to 75 degrees by day, .with an increase by sun 
heat. Pay proper attention to watering ; and be careful not to overcrop 
them at this season. Give air every day if the weather permits, but 
invariably shut up warm. For green-fly and red spider use the usual 
remedies. 
Dahlias. —These should be taken up and stored for wintering the 
first time the soil is tolerably dry. Dry them thoroughly with some 
of the soil about them. Seed will require much attention to prevent its 
rotting in the pod. 
