DECEMBER. * 
377 
hooped over and well covered with mats, &c., in case of severe 
frost. Stove .—Look over and attend to last month’s directions as 
to craning the plants, and as many of these may now be cut back 
and thinned, cleaning will be much more easily accomplished than 
at any other season. Cut over Ixoras, well clean their foliage, 
and tie out their shoots into the desired form; also prune Dipla- 
denias, Allamandas, &c., well thinning out the wood, and towards 
the end of the month these may be shaken out and re-potted, 
placing any of the plants wanted to bloom early in the warmest 
end of the house. Water very sparingly after re-potting, parti¬ 
cularly plants that have been partially disrooted, until the roots 
get hold of the fresh soil, but sprinkle such with the syringe, as 
the state of the atmosphere may render necessary. Use fire heat 
as sparingly as possible, and keep plants which are in a dormant 
state rather dry at the root. 
Cinerarias .—Little can be said regarding their general treat¬ 
ment other than that recommended last month. Large plants that 
are intended for exhibition should now have every attention paid 
them. Remove all superfluous leaves and small suckers, and peg 
down the strong shoots and foliage. To admit of the light and 
air freely to their centres, stand them thin and place as near the 
glass as possible; give air freely on every favourable opportunity, 
and be careful to avoid as much as possible all cutting and frosty 
winds. 
Pelargoniums .—At this season water only when absolutely 
necessary, and ventilate as freely as the weather permits. Let the 
plants stand as thin as your room will allow, and carefully train 
and tie out the shoots, a process which will materially strengthen 
them. It will be impossible for you to pay too much attention to 
cleanliness; pick oflf every dead leaf as it appears, and examine 
the plant frequently for insects. Avoid giving too much heat, as, 
at this season, it is quite sufficient if frost and damp be entirely 
excluded. 
Hardy Fruit .—It is very probable that in many parts the soil 
was too dry during the early part of last month for the operation of 
removing and planting fruit trees as previously advised; therefore 
no time should now be lost in forwarding this work early in the 
month, before severe frost sets in. Proceed with the pruning and 
nailing of Pears, Plums, and Cherries, at all times when the 
weather is mild. See that the trees are free from scale and moss; 
if any require dressing, they had better be unnailed and painted 
over with a mixture of soft soap, tobacco-water, and urine, thick¬ 
ened with clay. Strong lime water will destroy moss. 
All small fruit-trees, with the exception of Gooseberries, may 
now be pruned, and embrace the first opportunity to wheel rotten 
manure on the quarters, in readiness to be forked in about the trees 
Avhen the weather is open. Trench and manure ground intended 
for new plantations, as well as for planting Strawberries in the 
spring. Protect Figs from frost, either by covering with fern or 
by tying them in bundles and binding them with hay-bands. It 
