DECEMBER. 
377 
foliage; thin out the small leaves, and peg down the large foliage of 
the large plants; fumigate occasionally to prevent the green-fly; 
remove a few of the earliest kinds to an intermediate house for early 
flowers. 
Gold Frames. —Protect well against frosts, but be careful to give air 
whenever the weather permits, so as to guard against damp, which is 
as fatal to many things at this season as frost. Water in the forenoons 
and then only when absolutely required. 
Conservatory and Show-house. —Make these as gay and attractive 
as possible, for at no other season of the year will they be more 
appreciated than at the present, when there is little or nothing, in the 
way of flowers, inviting out of doors. Among the very many beautiful 
things we have now-a-days for winter decoration there is scarcely 
anything to surpass good specimens of Azaleas, when in full flower. Good 
plants of Camellias are also very showy. Epacrises and Heaths are 
also very useful for decorative purposes at this time. Chinese Primroses, 
which have been much improved of late, when well done are very beau¬ 
tiful. Add to these a few fine foliaged plants, and a few of the early 
forced bulbs, and you have abundance wherewith to make a good 
display—not to mention Chrysanthemums, Begonias, &c. Pay the 
greatest attention to cleanliness; ventilate freely when the weather 
permits ; water in the forenoon such plants as require it; dry the 
houses by lighting slight fires during the day. In frosty weather fire 
heat will be necessary, but at night keep no more than is absolutely 
required. 
Cucumbers. —See directions in previous calendars. 
Dahlias. —Seed may be cleaned during this dull time, and wintered 
in a tolerably dry place; damp or very dry situations will be alike 
injurious. 
Forcing Hardy Shrubs. —Introduce Rhododendrons, Azaleas, 
Kalmias, Rhodoras, Deutzias, Lilacs, Roses, &c. See directions in last 
month’s calendar. 
Forcing Ground. —By setting a good batch of Seakale, Rhubarb, 
and Asparagus roots to work about every three weeks on a nice regular 
bottom heat there will not be any difficulty in having a constant supply 
of these things. Attend to the watering, &c., of French Beans—and 
sow for succession ; sow Mustard and Cress weekly. 
Greenhouse {hard-wooded'). —As fire heat will be necessary in frosty 
weather, be as chary as possible in the use of it; water when necessary ; 
ventilate freely when the weather permits, but be careful to guard 
against cold currents ; occasionally turn the specimen plants, and look 
over for insects. Soft-wooded. — Fuchsias intended to be grown large 
specimens should now be encouraged. Spare no labour to keep 
everything in a healthy vigorous state. 
Peach-forcing. —Those who require Peaches in May should lose no 
time in setting the early house to work. The trees should be well 
washed with a mixture of clay, sulphur, soft soap, lime, and tobacco- 
water, made to about the consistency of paint; the shoots should then 
be neatly tied to the trellis-work, and the borders should* have a good 
soaking of water. Cover the outside borders with fermenting material. 
