1S70. ] 
THE GARDEN MENTOR. 
275 
It is of easy culture, and by having several plants of it a succession of bloom 
may be kept up for months, provided the early ones are placed in a httle heat, 
and the later ones kept in a cool greenhouse. The flowers must be kept dry, in 
order that they may continue in beauty for several weeks. This plant will do 
well in a glass pit or frame during the summer months, but must be brought 
into the house in autumn for blooming. It has thick, fleshy roots, and, therefore, 
requires good drainage; but a liberal supply of water must be given during the 
growing season, and even in wdnter the soil should be kept moist, as it has no 
succulent bulbs to support it, and on that account requires more direct sustenance. 
It should have good soil, and then plenty of flowers may be expected, and they 
will repay all the attention bestowed upon it. The most suitable soil is a mixture 
of rough fibrous peat, loam, leaf-mould, and sand, all well mixed together. This 
Cypripedium is not liable to the attacks of insects, if the plant is cared for 
.and kept in,a healthy condition.— B. S. Williams, Victoria Nursery^ Holloway. 
THE GARDEN MENTOR. 
ECEMBER is generally the dullest and dreariest month in the year ; the 
weather is mostly very uncertain ; sometimes w^e have pelting storms of 
rain or snow, and at other times severe frosts. Even at this dull season, 
when deciduous trees are bare, and there is little in the way of flowers in 
the borders, evergreen trees and shrubs are full of interest, and show to great 
advantage. 
Kitchen Garden. —All out-door operations will now depend on the state of 
the weather. Advantage should bo taken of frosty weather to wheel manure on 
to quarters where it is wanted ; and all decaying substances should be collected 
into heaps for manure. In bad weather everything that can possibly be done 
in-doors should be pushed forward, so that it may not have to be done in fine 
weather. Any Endive and Lettuce still in the open ground should be lifted and 
stored as directed last month. Celery should be protected in frosty weather. In 
mild weather Cauliflowers and Autumn Broccolis should be looked over, and all 
plants showing heads should be lifted, and stored carefully. Towards the end 
of the month a portion of the best Parsley should be covered with spare lights, to 
protect it from frost. The Peas sown last month, when above ground, should 
have a little earth drawn up to them, and towards the end of the month they 
should be protected with some small evergreen branches. Asparagus may be 
forced from the present time until it comes into use out-of-doors, by taking up 
.some roots, at intervals of three or four weeks, and placing them on a gentle hot¬ 
bed, covering the roots with soil to the depth of three or four inches, and giving 
them a good soaking of water, to wash the soil in among the roots; the frames 
should be covered at night, and air should be given at every favourable oppor¬ 
tunity. More Sealcale and Plmbarh should be covered up for forcing. 
Forcing Houses. — Pines: The plants that are swelling fruit must now be 
