34 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
white on opening, but it is a. very beautiful creeper withal. Cyclamens, Primulas^ 
and Hyacinths form a gay assemblage here, and should be liberally watered with 
temperate water. Camellias must be watered liberally also, for they really re¬ 
quire more now, when carrying so many flowers, than at any other part of the 
year; they are best also watered with water at not less than 55°; before watering, 
sprinkle over the surface a few handfuls of garden manure occasionally during 
the flowering period. 
Stoves : Now is a good time to give everything a thorough good cleaning. 
Every part of the wood-work should be made clean and free of insects. If 
Bananas are grown, a new bed could be set agoing. The bottom of the bed should 
be well drained with rubble, bits of brick, crocks, &c., and the bed filled up with 
a compost such as one would make for a vine-border. In this they grow and 
fruit freely, and amply repay any trouble bestowed on them. The only sort worth 
growing is the dwarf Chinese Musa Cavendishiana. An Allamanda and Thun- 
hergia Harrisii are worth planting out here, as very effective and useful creepers. 
These should be pruned and rearranged after the cleaning. The old Rondeletia 
speciosa is also well worth planting out. 
Greenhouses : Some of the Calceolarias may get a shift into their flowering- 
pots ; 7-in. and 8-in. ones are the most useful sizes for these plants, which are fine 
showy objects, though one has to confess to being tired of them every year ; cease 
growing them one year, and they will be better appreciated another season. Fuchsias 
should get a shift and genial warmth, when they may soon be induced to throw a 
few beautiful flowers. Small late-struck plants will continue growing and flowering 
all the winter. Keep always on the bench ready-seasoned soils of all sorts for 
use; and every dirty pot, as soon as empty, should be washed and put in its place. 
Labourers on wet days may be employed at this, and dozens of other useful jobs. 
Pot on late-struck tree Carnations ; those throwing flower-shoots should get 
staked. Mignonette should also be potted if required, but for these and Carnations 
pure loam is best.— Henry Knight, Floors Castle. 
FRUITS. 
Pines : Where the most forward batch has started into fruit, the soil should 
be brought into a growing state by the application of tepid liquid manure ; and 
if the roots are in a satisfactory state, the plants—particularly Queens—will be 
throwing up plenty of suckers, which may be reduced to one or two for stock. 
Subject a few more promising plants to increased heat for a continuance of the 
supply. Successions which have been kept steadily on the move may now receive 
their final shift into fruiting-pots. Suckers which have been wintered in small 
pots should be encouraged to make new roots by the middle of the month, when 
they may be repotted and plunged in a bottom-heat of 80°. Gradually raise the 
night temperature to 65°, with a corresponding rise by day, and keep rather 
close until fresh root-action is secured. 
Vines: Look over late Grapes twice a week. Where the bunches can be 
removed to a room, the vines may be pruned, and receive the benefit of a short 
rest before the sap becomes active. Vines started in December, where fermenting 
material has been applied to the borders, will now be making rapid growth ; 
syringe freely until the bunches are formed, when it must be discontinued, but 
atmospheric moisture may be provided by damping the walls and floor. Airing 
will require great care, especially in windy weather. Night temperature 60,° 
with a rise of 10° by day. Houses in bloom should be kept at a minimum tem¬ 
perature of 65,° allowing 5° more for Muscats, with a rise of 15° by day. Assist 
