November 11. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
101 
Caledonian (Inverleith Row), Etlinburgh, Dec. 'i. 
Hampshire, Nov. 1H (Winchester). (Ncc. Rev. F. Wick¬ 
ham, Winchester.) 
London Flomcultural (Exeter Hall, Strand), Nov. 20, 
Dec. lit. 
North L(jndon, Nov. 22, Chrysanthemum. 
South London (Royal), Nov. lit, Dec. !tt, 10. 
poultry shows. 
Birminoham and Midland Counties, IRh, 10th, l(!lh, 
and 17 til Decemher. 
Bristol Agricultural, December 7tli, Hth, and 0th. 
{Sec. James IMarmont.) 
Cornwall (Penzance ), .Tanuary lOlli, and 11th. (AVe.s-. 
Rev. W. W. Wingfield, Gulval Vicarage, and E. 11. 
Rodil, Esq.) 
Douchesteu, Nov. ISih. (SVc. 0. J. Andrews, Esq., Dor¬ 
chester.) 
Hdniton, January 12th. {Sec. 11. K. Venn.) 
Winchester, December ist. (Sees. G. W. Johnson and 
.1. Colson.} 
t For seedlings only. 
rRKPARATIONS FOR EARLY FORCING. 
The shortest day is not I’ar distant, and tlio adding 
one more year to the world’s history is the signal with 
many to jn-efiare lor garden luxuries during the ensuing 
spring. Hundreds, liowcver, are not thus jiatient, 
but require things mucli earlier still—and to such the 
shortest day forms no rule. To obtain Strawberries 
in ilarch. Grapes and Figs in April, and reaches in 
i\lay, requires that the early Ibrccr put bis house in 
order immediately. 
First, then, the Jiarhj Vinery. Wliat must be done— 
and in what order ? If the roots aro inside the house, 
little will be required. If the Vines have been done 
justice to at the close of their former labours, their roots 
will have become somewhat dry—a very wholesome con¬ 
dition to remain in during the rest period. In conse- 
scquence, the border will have become husky on the 
surface, and, as much of this as has lost its texture, may 
be removed, and a little fresh compost, if necessary, be 
substituted; but it will bo well to case the whole over 
with three inches of half-rotten manure—that from old 
hotbeds, where half the voluino has been tree leaves is 
excellent. And now, the border being dryish, let us 
advise a liberal watering with tepid li(juid-manure ; but, 
as it is not proper to risk any lodgment of this powerful 
fertilizer, it may bo applied, in a moderate quantity, 
three days successively, and will thus ([uietly penetrate 
the mass. Of course, the Vines for such early forcing 
j liavc been pruned, and the wood dressed ; if not, we 
|iity the forcer, if the Vinos have been forced early in 
former years. The dressing should bo applied at twice, 
but, holbro doing so, every portion of loose outer bark 
must be peeled off, for there is no safety if any lie loft 
on. Then let tho dressing be apjdied, and a good prac¬ 
tice is, to add jilenty of lime to the first coat; this, 
when dry, will prove a tell-tale, and show the operator, 
i at tho second dressing, any jiortinii which may have 
been missed. If tho roots of the Vines are partially or 
wholly outside, the first thing should bo the covering of 
the border with litter, in order to at least exclude frost; 
and if the material be in a fermenting state, all the 
better. Wo think that a temperature of 00° to 70° will 
be amj)ly sulficient until tho buds swell, when it may 
bo increased 5°. And hero wo would recommend the 
use of a good tavi)aulin to cover the litter, in order to 
keep out rain and snow : perhaps this article will be 
as good and economical a thing as can be devised. It 
is quite obvious, that borders which have been exposed 
to all the autumnal rains contain sulficient moisture to 
last tliem until the now year, at least. If any loose 
material, the remains of former top dressings, remain on 
the surface of tlio border before covering, we would rake 
it clear off—or, at least, as far as surface fibres would 
permit, so os to enable tho fermenting warmth to 
penetrate the border. When the warmth of the fer¬ 
menting material needs increase, it will be well to 
introduce muck of the drojipiugs from the stable door, in 
order to impart richness to tlie border, when rains or 
waterings ore iiennitted. Thus far the roots; now for 
the structure itself. Again we may point to the thorougii 
cleansing requisite in all forcing houses before com¬ 
mencement. This, of course, will consist in washing 
down, or painting, all wood work, using strong lime- 
washes to walls or brick-work, iind in ivashing the 
roof and other lights as clea,u in the glass as a drinking 
vessel. All this complete, let us again advise, in all 
cases, a good stoving with sulphur, continued for several 
hours-—say from daylight to dusk ; and if tho operator 
can cover his roof with mats, canvass, or anything, all the 
better : closing tho frames in as much as possible. 
It will be hero observed, that nothing with foliage on 
can remain in during this process. 'I'hc operator will 
find this a good chance for stoving his Figs, Vines, 
Peaches, Cherries, &c., in pots or tubs, for they might 
be removed here jircvious to tho oiioration. And now 
let us impure if tho flues have been thoroughly cleaned; 
if not, it must bo done immediately, and hot-water 
machinery examined and reported on ; for a break-down 
in midwinter will not obtain tho gold medals of Regent- 
street. 
All these things duly carried out, the first steps of 
forcing may be taken, such consisting, in a groat degree, 
in a reversal of tho rest jiolicy. A dry atmosphere must 
gradually, bo oxebanged for a moist one, and the terapor- 
aturo may be allowed a slight advance. In all these 
things let nature be. imitated; generally sjicaking, what 
is termed a mild and soft March day may be tho model. 
Thus, suppose a vinery closed in the last week of Oc¬ 
tober, the temperaturo might run about thus— 
First two weeks in November about 50° 
'Third week ditto 55° 
Fourth week ditto 00° 
First fortnight in December 05° 
Last ditto ditto 10° 
However, these things depend on other circumstances 
as well; for as soon as the buds are expanding, the 
night and day thermometer must dill'cr considerably, 
for thus nature manages her affairs. If the buds are 
found to break shyly, or irregularly, more time must be 
given, or the trees will produce an unsightly crop. The 
syringe may be plied night and morning, using a fine 
rose, in order not to batter tho dressing-off; and sprink¬ 
ling must be a constant inactice, morning and evening, 
on tho floors, walls, &c. If the operator can introduce 
fermenting materials, it will be of great service to the 
Vines; such, turned and sprinkled twice a-week, will 
})roduco a most genial kind of humidity in the air of 
the house. Ventilation during the first month will be 
resorted to, simply to get rid of surplus heat; and thus 
matters may proceed until the Vines aro in leaf. Having 
other matters pressing for some future papers, we must 
here just take a passing glance at other candidates for 
))recocity, and, first, 
Peacii-iorcino. Hero the same preliminaries aro 
requisite ns in tho vinery; thorough cleanliness, the use 
of lime, &c. And hero may be named the propriety of 
adding much sulphur to tho lime, which, indeed, should 
be constantly done in all plant structures; the benefits 
are more considerable than people commonly imagine. 
Tho same wash will answer here as with the vines : this 
having been so often described in those pages, it may 
sullice to observe, that it is composed of a clay paint, 
to which much sulphur and lime are added; and soap 
liquid added at the rate of four ounces of soft soap to a 
gallon of water. Every crevice in the branches must 
