242 
THE GARDENERS’ AND NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 
beauty of the varieties seen by bim at Shanghae; bow be beard of yellow, and purple, and blue sorts; and at one 
time saw lilacs and purples, some nearly black; at another, dark purples, lilacs, and deep red. Afterwards, baying 
discovered that these things came from a place only six or eight miles from Shanghae, Mr. Fortune tells us that 
he proceeded there daily during the time the different plants were coming into bloom, and secured some most 
str ikin g and beautiful kinds (now in the garden of the Horticultural Society). The name Moutan seems to be an 
alteration of the word Hotan, the usual name of these plants in Japan, as we are told by Ksempfer, whe adds that 
it is also called Fkamigusa and Hatskangusa. As the Japanese name the common Pseony Saku jaku and Kciwa 
junkusa , they seem to think the Moutan and Pseony distinct genera, in which we quite agree with them. It is to 
be suspected, also, that more species than one is comprehended under the common name of Tree Pseony, even 
although, as is probable, the Poppy Moutan (P. papaveracea) should be a mere variety of the common kind; for 
some of the Japanese kinds are said to form rapidly a woody stem eight or ten feet high—a stature which the 
common Moutans would only gain after many years in even favourable climates. The Chinese and Japanese are 
said to reckon then’ varieties of Moutans by hundreds, as we do our Poses. It is not improbable, now that the 
single, and, very slightly double kinds, are beginning to establish themselves in Europe, that we too shall have the 
same dominion over them as over Camellias and Chrysanthemums. The largest collection of these plants yet 
brought to Europe is that of Dr. Y. Siebold, who imported them from Japan in 1844.— Faxt. Flor. Gard. 
m: 
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A 
ggUPge 
FLOWER-GARDEN.—IN-DOOR DEPART¬ 
MENT. 
Conservatory .—The time has now arrived when the 
Conservatory, if properly supplied with flowers, will be 
much enjoyed; for, as the Ice Iving, with his crystal 
mantle, will soon -wrap out-door flowers in his cold 
embrace, the few gay flowers in this house become, by 
contrast, more and more enchanting. At the present 
time, it should be gay with the following plants:—Fancy 
and Scarlet Pelargoniums, Perpetual Poses, Tropseolum 
Lobbii, and the dwarf double Scarlet; Begonias of sorts, 
Leschenaultias, Epacris, Ericas, and Camellias; Hel- 
iotropiums, Epiphyllum truncatum, and varieties, Pri¬ 
mulas, Cinerarias, Lueulia gratissima, and Pinciana; 
Achimenes and Gesneras of sorts. Add to these Chry¬ 
santhemums, and a few sweet-scented and variegated 
plants, and you have a splendid display. Keep every 
plant and pot scrupulously clean, and take great care 
to maintain a sweet and healthy atmosphere. Water 
such plants as require it; but do so cautiously, more 
especially to the tender plants. A little fire will be 
necessary through the day, occasionally, to expel damp ; 
but avoid fires at night as much as possible. Ventilate 
freely on all favourable occasions, but avoid cold 
draughts. 
Orangery .—This house, with its golden fruit, will 
now be a glorious sight, and will well repay any trouble 
previously taken to bring the fruit to perfection. Dis¬ 
continue syringing, and keep a comparatively dry but 
healthy atmosphere. The plants, except those in small 
pots, will not require any water for the next two 
months, unless the weather is very severe, and the use 
of fire renders it necessary. The temperature by fire 
heat, must not exceed 45° ; but it is not wise to let the 
temperature fall below 38°. Gather the fruit as it be¬ 
comes fit, that is a little before the skin is thoroughly 
coloured. During the winter take care to wash 
thoroughly such plants as require it, both to destroy 
insects, and clean the plants. 
Forcing-house. —The forcing of bulbs must now com¬ 
mence in earnest, and successions of such things as are 
required, must be introduced every fortnight; but suc¬ 
cess is very doubtful, unless the pots are full of roots. 
A few Lilacs, Azaleas, Rhodoras, Kalmia glauca, Rho¬ 
dodendrons, and Perpetual Roses may also be intro¬ 
duced, and Pinks, Sweet Williams, and Lily of the Val¬ 
ley, towards the end of the month. Start them gradually 
at first, or they are sure to go blind, and throw the 
flowers. A. 
Stove. —If my former directions have been attended 
to, this house will present a very gay appearance; and, 
in order to prolong this, it is absolutely necessary that 
all decaying leaves and flowers should be removed so 
soon as they cease to perform their necessary functions 
upon the plant. No kind of dirt—such as filthy pots 
or surface-soil overgrown with liverwort or moss—must 
be aUowed, and waffs, tables, and floors should be alike 
clean and dry. Give ah' freely on all favourable occa¬ 
sions, and keep the temperature from 45° to Go° fire 
heat; water thoroughly when it is required; but on no 
accoimt until then. Embrace every opportunity at 
your disposal for the perfect eradication of all vermin; 
keep a good supply of various sized stakes, number- 
sticks, crocks, and pots; also a good assortment of 
soils in a dry place; when fires are requisite, light 
them in time to prevent the necessity of driving them 
to the danger of every thing within the house. 
Orchid House .— AVhere a good collection of these are 
well cultivated, a beautiful display of many of the most 
effective of the whole order will, at this duff season of 
the year, impart to the house such a degree of enjoy¬ 
ment, that to our minds nothing can vie with it. For 
instance, if properly managed, it will have a tempera¬ 
ture from 55° to 70° Fahrenheit; the atmosphere so 
charged with moisture as to be agreeable to any consti¬ 
tution. The attraction of this house just now will be 
found in the following plants, which are generally in 
bloom at this time of the year:—Cattleya labiata, one 
of the most gorgeous of all orchids ; Dendrobium 
chrysanthum ; Zygopetalum—several kinds ; the lovely 
Epidendrum Skinneri; the violet-scented Cymbidiums; 
together with Sophronites, Oncidimn omithorhynchum, 
Oncidium Papilio, and sphacelatum, Amsellia africana, 
Phalsenopsis amabilis, and many others. These, well 
arranged, constitute a charm peculiar to them alone. 
Continue former directions. Avoid excitement of all 
kinds, or it will act injuriously upon the whole collec¬ 
tion. J. G. 
GREENLIOUSE HARDAVOODED PLANTS. 
Although at this season when there is comparatively 
little to do, (that is, if previous directions have been at¬ 
tended to), stiff a cultivator who takes an interest in his 
plants never needs stand stiff. There is always some¬ 
thing that may be improved. It tends much to pro¬ 
mote the health as well as the general appearance of the 
collection, if the situations of the different specimens 
are now and then changed. Besides, such a process will 
I often discover the destructive attacks of insects or mil- 
