DECEMBER. 
281 
Mr. R. Smith’s Nursery at "Worcester. 
—Mr. Keane states in “The Journal of 
Horticulture,” that in this extensive nursery 
there are sixteen houses, and 1000 pits, covered 
with 64,000 square feet of glass, in addition 
to which there are three acres of raised brick 
beds for newly transplanted stock, over which 
lights can be placed. The number of men 
employed is never less than seventy, and is 
sometimes as great as 130. 400,000 stakes, 
and 80 tons of pots are annually used. 
OBITUARY. 
Mr. John Green, for many years gardener 
to Sir E. Antrobus, of Lower Cheam, died on 
the last day of October, in the fifty-ninth year 
of his age. As an exhibitor he was eminently 
successful, particularly with Azaleas, Cacti, 
and other stove and greenhouse plants; and 
there was seldom an exhibition at Chiswick 
at which he did not carry off several prizes; 
and at the Regent’s Park, and Crystal Palace, 
he was likewise a frequent exhibitor. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
STOVE. 
Pay great attention to cleanliness; pick off 
all dead leaves and flowers; examine the 
plants frequently for insects; water only when 
absolutely necessary, and then do it tho¬ 
roughly ; ventilate as freely as the weather 
permits; maintain a temperature of from 50^* 
to 55° by night, and Rom 60 p to 65° by day, 
fire heat. 
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 sur¬ 
pass 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 beautiful. 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 Chry¬ 
santhemums, 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 re¬ 
quired. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Hardivooded Plants. —As fire heat will be 
necessary in frosty weather, be as chary as 
possible in the use of it; water when neces- 
sary; ventilate freely when the weather 
permits, but be careful to guard against cold 
currents; occasionally turn the specimen 
plants, and look over for insects. Softwooded 
Plants. —Fuchsias intended to be grown large 
specimens should now be encouraged. Spare 
no labour to keep everything in a healthy 
vigorous state. Azaleas. — Those intended 
to flower early should have a temperature of 
about 50° by night and 60 Q by day; they 
will also require attention in watering. Those 
for late flowering should have as much air as 
the state of the weather permits, and they 
should have just sufficient heat and water to 
keep them in a healthy state. Calceolarias. 
—Shrubby and half shrubby kinds are now 
freely propagated in gentle heat; they also 
grow fast in an intermediate house, but like 
most softwooded plants, soon get infested with 
green fly if not kept clean, and fumigated 
occasionally. Camellias. — Attend carefully 
to the watering of these; give air when the 
weather is fair, but this house should on the 
whole be kept tolerably warm, without using 
too much fire heat. Most of the sorts that have 
had previous attention, with regard to fire heat, 
&c., will now be in full flower, and the general 
collection will be advancing into bloom. 
Cinerarias. —These plants will now require 
particular attention to keep clean; look over 
frequently, and pick off any decaying or 
decayed foliage, and sulphur such as have the 
mildew ; stand the plants as thin as your room 
will allow, so that they may get a free circula¬ 
tion of air through them ; place as near the 
glass as possible, and be careful not to let 
them have a cold frosty current, which will 
curl and disfigure the 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. Pelargoniums —These will re¬ 
quire much care to prevent their getting 
drawn, as many of them are growing freely, 
and, therefore, will want plenty of air at all 
favourable opportunities, and all the room that 
can be spared. Any plants which require 
shifting should be done at once. Keep them 
close for a few weeks, until they have struck 
root into the fresh soil. Attend to former 
directions as to keeping the plants clean, 
especially the fancies, as the decaying foliage 
injures the branches if not quickly removed, 
and also the tieing out and training of the 
shoots, particularly those that have become a 
little drawn; by so doing they will be greatly 
strengthened and benefited, if not crowded.; 
the plants should be kept tolerably dry at this 
season, therefore, do not be too liberal in the 
supply of water. 
EORCING. 
By setting a good batch of Sea-kale, Ehu- 
