292 
THE GARDENERS’ AND NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR FOR JANUARY. 
the better. Should the weather prove mild, a little fire 
is necessary occasionally to dispel the damp ; of course, 
the sashes must be open at the same time, to allow the 
vapour to escape. Give all the air possible every 
favourable opportunity, but be careful to avoid all cold 
draughts, which do much mischief. Be careful in water¬ 
ing, for much of success depends upon this. Water 
none but those which are dry, and water those well. 
Do not allow them to stand dry too long, or the bottom 
leaves will become yellow. The fancy varieties will 
require to be kept a little closer than the foregoing, as 
they are rather more delicate in constitution, and as 
they have an abundance of leaves they will often require 
thinning. In potting them be sure to give plenty of 
drainage ; silver sand should be liberally used in the 
compost. Fumigate occasionally to prevent the green 
fly making its appearance. 
Calceolarias .—This is a critical season for these 
plants, consequently they will require a great deal of 
attention in watering and keeping free from insects. A 
little warmth is necessary for the more delicate kinds. 
Remove all decaying leaves as they appear ; peg down 
the shoots to the surface of the soil, that they may root 
up the stems, which will give strength to the plants. 
Shift into larger pots such seedlings as are large enough, 
or prick off those that may have been sown for late 
flowering. A light turfy loam enriched with well decom¬ 
posed manure and leaf-mould, adding a liberal quantity 
of silver sand, will be found indispensable for those 
plants. Drain freely with charcoal and potsherds. 
Cinerarias .—Remove a few of the most forward to a 
warm house, where they will come into flower directly, 
and be useful for bouquets and decorative purposes. If 
large plants are required shift a few into larger pots, and 
pinch out the tops to cause them to grow bushy. Tie out 
or peg down to keep them open, and do not allow them 
to get too dry, which will cause them to go blind. Give 
all the air possible every favourable opportunity in fine 
weather. Fumigate occasionally, and dust with sulphur 
any that may be affected with mildew. 
Fuchsias .—If large and early-flowering plants are 
required, a few of these should now be started in a gentle 
heat. Cut the old plants down, and they will be found 
to throw up strong shoots from the bottom. As soon as 
they have broken shake them out of the old soil and 
repot into a good rich compost. Strike a few cuttings as 
soon as long enough, for bedding and other purposes. 
Routine .—Turn heaps of soil and manure that they 
may sweeten. For spring potting be careful always to 
have some housed for present purposes, as much injury 
is done by potting in wet soils. Wash pots in bad 
weather that they may be ready when wanted. 
—H. Rosier, Brookland’s Nursery, Blackheath. 
FLOWER-GARDEN.—OUT-DOOR DEPART¬ 
MENT. 
It is said that massed flower-gardens are exponents 
of the minds of the gardeners of the present day ; and 
no doubt they are. But, like all other manifestations 
of mind, there are evident marks of degrees of attain¬ 
ment, as will always be the case, where minds differently 
constituted are brought to bear on the same subject. Still, 
we think there might be a greater agreement in our 
flower-gardens than there really is, if the principles 
which have been, from time to time, alluded to in these 
directions, were better understood, and more strictly 
adhered to in practice ; and if more heart was thrown 
into the work, it would be siue to giye grace to our 
art, in small as well as in great things. Nothing like 
being true to the work we have got to do. Flower 
gardening, like all systems based on true principles, has 
the elements of advancement bound up with it; and, 
therefore, its course must be onward, which will be seen 
in new and more beautiful forms of development; and 
if care is exercised in drawing out plans for geometrical 
flower-gardens, to avoid acute-angledbeds, and substitute 
in their stead those forms of figures, partaking more of 
the curved line, a sort of continuous action will be 
given to the eye, in following such graceful lines, and a 
dignity or expression, and freedom of outline, border¬ 
ing on the beautiful ; because simplicity and intelligi¬ 
bility will be seen everywhere. Plant also your flower¬ 
beds in such a way, that the figure, as a whole, may 
appear really larger than it is; which can readily be 
done, by keeping the subdued colours near the centre, 
and the warm colours at the outside. The effectiveness 
of warm colours compared with cold, under bright sun¬ 
light, should be attended to; and thus may be brought 
out more perfect forms of beauty in our flower-gardens. 
I would say to young gardeners, pursue the study of 
massing flower-gardens with eagerness, and be careful 
to select for your new arrangements, plants which are 
beautiful, entire, and clear in their colours; and rest 
assured, if you are working thus diligently, materials 
will be inwrought with your own being, w T hich will so 
shape and fashion yoiu thoughts, that when the day of 
active service arrives, you will be ready and strong in 
yoiu own might; and though your outward form may 
change its semblance, your young ideas will ever live in 
remembrance. 
Routine .—Look every now and then over store- 
pots, and boxes of flower-garden plants, and clear them 
of all rotting leaves; and it may be advantageous to the 
plants to turn them round to the light. While the 
principle of life is feeble in our plants, water and attend 
to them accordingly. Look at mother Nature how she 
acts, in that beautiful law of adaptation, which exists 
among all created things, and gather information from 
them. I would not be in too great haste in pruning 
Roses : time enough yet. If you look at your walks in 
rainy weather, you will see where the faults are. Leave 
all dug ground as rough as possible, that the air and 
Irost may act upon it.— John Caie, Bedford Lodge, 
Camden Hill, Kensington. 
Rose Garden .—Presuming that all requiring protec¬ 
tion is prepared and ready should a change to frost take 
place, and as the weather has been so favourable for 
forwarding planting and other garden work, little 
can be done during this month except forwarding, at 
all opportunities, the preparation of soil, for beds, pot¬ 
ting, and whatever it may be wanted for, and trenching 
and preparing ground where it could not be done earlier 
in the season. Keep the stock of plants in pots for 
forcing from heavy rains and snow, but let them have 
plenty of air, day and night, while the weather is open. 
All those that are to be forced into flower early in the 
spring should be primed early in the month, and those 
to flower later in the spring by the end of the month. 
After they are pruned they must be carefully pre¬ 
served from extreme frosts. Begin to place them 
rather freely in the forcing-house or pit, particularly 
towards the end of the month, and take care to set 
them in a part where they may have plenty of light 
and sun, and air when the weather is favourable. Force 
gently, as fast forcing will make them weak and most 
likely to fail altogether; the slower the forcing is carried 
on, the finer the bloom will be. For further directions 
consult previous calendars. 
If stocks for next season’s working are not already 
planted, they ohould be got in with as little delay as 
possible. 
In taking leave, after a twelvemonth’s labour among 
Roses, I hope the observations I have made have been 
found useful to the readers of this interesting periodi¬ 
cal. What I have stated has been the result of prac¬ 
tice and close observation for a number of years, and it 
will give me great pleasure to afford any one the 
means of judging of the value of the directions I have 
given.—H. M’Millan, Westerham Nurseries, Kent. 
Arboretum .—The state of the weather during Janu- 
