278 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
moist atmosphere ; syringe the trees every morning with tepid water, and admit 
air freely in mild weather ; do not exceed a night temperature of 45°. Exclude 
frost from late houses. This is a good time to shift Fig-trees in pots or tubs 
that may require it; use good turfy loam and some rotten dung; in very severe 
weather sufficient fire-heat must be applied to exclude frost. The first batch of 
Strawberries may now be introduced into a vinery or peach-house ; they should 
be kept near the glass, and have abundance of air given in mild weather. 
Although the last month was by far the better for the planting, pruning, &c., 
of Fruit-Trees , yet if from any unavoidable cause of delay these operations were 
not carried out, I would strongly advise such work to be done as soon as possible 
whilst open weather lasts. Newly-planted standard trees should be firmly staked 
and have a good mulching of rotten manure placed over their roots. Continue 
to push forward the pruning of all fruit trees at every favourable opportunity, 
and clean the stems of old trees of moss ; a good dredging of quicklime put on 
when the bark is moist will destroy it, and render the stems and bark healthy. 
The pruning of standard trees, after- the first few years they are planted, is too 
often neglected, consequently, in the course of time the fruit becomes small and 
of inferior quality. It is by constant and judicious pruning alone that fruit-trees 
will continue to bear fruit of superior size and quality. 
At this dull season of the year ITard-wooded Greenhouse Plants require careful 
management. They should be kept in a state of rest as much as possible ; if 
induced to grow, that growth will be weakly now, and still more weakly hereafter. 
Preserve a dry atmosphere, water very sparingly, and give air freely when the 
state of the weather permits. Avoid fires as much as possible ; but the tem¬ 
perature at nights must not fall below 35°. Take advantage of bad weather to 
prune and dress creepers, to wash, clean, tie out, and train all plants that may 
require it, and to do a number of little things that will forward work afterwards. 
Pelargoniums will now require careful attention ; remove all decaying or super¬ 
fluous leaves or shoots; tie out as they require it, and give air at every favour¬ 
able opportunity. Plants intended for early flowering should be kept a little 
warmer, and be watered more freely; fumigate with tobacco to keep down 
green-fly. Cinerarias intended for specimens should be shifted into larger pots ; 
give plants in flower water when they require it. Attend carefully to the water¬ 
ing of Primulas. Look frequently over plants in pits and frames, and see they are 
not suffering from damp ; pick off all dead leaves, give air freely in mild weather, 
and cover well up at nights. 
The work of the Flower Garden and Pleasure-Ground will now consist in 
finishing in the early part of the month, if the weather be mild, the planting of 
trees, shrubs, bulbs, &c. When severe frosty weather sets in, beds of bulbs 
should be well protected; also all tender evergreen shrubs, and plants that may 
be liable to suffer from it. Tea Roses may be lifted and laid-in in a dry, warm, 
sheltered situation, where they can be well protected from the frost. Finish the 
