350 
THE FLORIST. 
stock perfectly free from insects, while they are in a comparatively 
dormant state, and will be uninjured by washes, &c., which would 
disfigure them when their foliage is young and tender. Attend to 
last month’s directions as to winter-blooming things, and afford 
these every attention. 
Cinerarias .—We will suppose that such of these plants as are 
required for early flowering or exhibition to be now ready for 
their final shift into their blooming pots, the size best suited for 
this purpose being eight-inch ones, well drained with potsherd 
and other loose material, such as rough turf, &c. The compost 
best suited is two parts good friable loam and one each of rotten 
manure and leaf mould, add sand to cause the water to percolate 
freely. Keep a little close for a few days, then give air gradually; 
look well to mildew and green fly, and sulphur or fumigate imme¬ 
diately on its appearance; keep tolerably close of nights, as the 
least frost is very injurious to these tender foliaged plants; stand 
them, and keep as near the glass as possible. 
Pelargoniums .—-If previous directions have been attended to, 
with early specimen plants little can be done this month. Avoid 
crowding the plants, and also be careful in watering ; at this season 
only water those that are really dry, and give plenty of air at all 
favourable opportunities to prevent them getting drawn. Keep 
the plants clean of decayed foliage, especially the fancies, and 
re-pot any that require it. 
Train and stop back, if long enough, the shoots of young plants 
that it is intended to make specimens, and when the weather is wet 
and cold give a little fire-heat and air at the same time to dry up 
damp, and in cold nights the temperature of the house should 
average about 40°. 
Hardy Fruit .—This is perhaps the best time for planting all 
kinds of fruit-trees; and in the renewal of wall-trees, where the 
borders are old, the ground should be well trenched to the full 
width of the border, and fresh loam mixed with the old soil as the 
work proceeds. Mulch the trees after planting with rotten manure 
to encourage them to root at once. Large trees that are unfruitful 
or growing too strong may now be lifted with advantage ; if stan¬ 
dard trees, take care to secure them to stakes after re-planting. 
Go over peach and nectarine trees with a soft broom, to remove a 
portion of the leaves, that the wood may get well ripened. Any 
other fruit-trees that have shed their leaves may now be pruned. 
Give air to the fruit store till after the sweating process is over, 
after which time the room should be closed; a dry, cool, close 
atmosphere is best adapted for the long keeping of fruit. Look 
over the fruit often, and remove all those going to decay. If any 
late apples or pears still remain on the trees they should be 
gathered at once. 
Forcing Ground .—Mushroom beds intended to produce the 
winter supply should now be made; sprinkle the beds lightly that 
are coming into bearing, and keep up a moist atmosphere in the 
house. If Asparagus is required early, the roots may now be 
