10 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOfHST. 
[ January, 
Phloxes, Pentstemons, and other hardy subjects under walls, should be looked to, 
and not allowed to get smothered by leaves from the fruit-trees. At the same time, 
it is not desirable to entirely remove the leaves, as they form a protection to 
the cuttings; but mth the fingers the tops should be relieved where they 
are lying too thickly. Oleanhness with regard to such matters may be consist¬ 
ently dispensed with, as also where leaves may have accumulated around choice 
shrubs, &c. Undoubtedly leaves from trees form the best of all natural protectors, 
and should never be thought an eye-sore at this season, when the health and well¬ 
being of out-door flowers and shrubs are at stake., Where bulbs are used in the 
garden, a good look-out for mice will be necessary, for in some places these little 
fellows are the chief drawback to the successful cultivation of hardy spring bulbs. 
As a rule, bulbs planted after the New Year do as well as those earlier planted, so 
that there is ample time to plant for those who still contemplate doing so. 
Conservatories of all descriptions should be now made as gay and pleasurable 
as possible with flowering-plants, which can always be plentiful at this season, 
if proper preparatory provision has been made during summer and autumn. It 
is a great error, however, to have too much flowering at one time—too great 
variet}^, that is. Flowering-plants should have their seasons defined as much as 
possible. That everlasting desire to have something beyond and before one’s 
neighbours, tends in a measure to make everything so common. It is good prac¬ 
tice to cease growing certain plants every other year, and in this way those to which 
we are about to give the place of honour will be much better appreciated. Of 
course, every garden must be guided by its requirements. Soft, warm, clean 
water, should be given to all plants in flower, and the temperature should be 
healthy, and never below 50”. Roman Hyacinths are about the most useful of 
flowers just now, and they should get abundance of water. Quantities of Violets 
should be coming on in pots and pits, in succession ; but with this as with 
most others, it should be a seasonable flower—no violet smells as sweet before 
as after the New Year. 
Stoves: Soil should be got into good condition, ready for potting into larger 
pots quantities of so-called stove-plants, such as Dracamas, Marantas, Palms, 
and, in fact, all kinds of evergreens in this department. In potting, no mutila¬ 
tion of roots should take place, such as is common at the potting-bench; not 
even the crocks should be taken away; in the case of Palms, it is often certain 
death. When the soil is cold, and perhaps damp, it may be warmed and dried 
by means of old fire-bars made red-hot, and placed here and there through the 
soil on the bench. 
Forcing Flowers: Nicely-budded Rhododendrons should be selected from the 
pleasure-grounds, and potted or plunged in leaves in the early vinery or peach-house ; 
Azaleas, too, and many other things, may also be placed there. That splendid 
old Rhododendron Nohleannm is one of the best for this purpose, and may be 
found in quantities in all nurseries. These Rhododendrons are preferred to 
Camellias by many, and they certainly are quite as useful. Nothing is more 
delicate and beautiful than some of the varieties of hardy Rhododendron, besides 
which, their colours are so various. Due attention should be paid to painting in 
all houses ; a great deal may be done at this season by labourers in this way. 
Greenhouses: Pelargoniums, Cinerarias, &c., should be attended to in regard 
to potting on, if wanted ; and the most advanced towards flowering may be taken 
to a warmer house. The early-flowering Pelargoniums are a useful class to come 
into flower in the early spring months, and there are now several sorts after the 
Captain-Raikes style which are very beautiful and useful. Air-giving should be 
