December 25, 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
205 
cause renders the elaboration of the juices defective ; but you give us no 
particulars whereby we can point to the probable source of the mischief. 
Cow Slinking her Calk (.J. T. F.).—This, which in other words is 
premature delivery, may arise from one of many causes. Too much or 
too little food, sudden fright, sympathy with certain smells or sights, 
such as those of blood, bones, horns, or the dead young ot another 
animal, a very hot, foul cow-house, falls, bruises, and over-driving, will 
one and all cause abortion in the cow. Let all such be avoided. It you 
perceive symptoms of a recurrence of the misfortune, remove the cow 
instantly from the company of the other cows. It the cow is in good 
case, and restless, and the calf alive, bleed her, and give a pound ot 
Kpsom salts in a quart of warm water. When this begins to operate, 
give her half a drachm of opium, and half an ounce ot sweet spirits ot 
nitre. On no account give stimulating drinks, unless the cow is weak. 
Bleeding at any stated time is folly. 
Plants at the Crystal Palace («/. V , Salcombe). These 
were taken away by the nurserymen who exhibited them. 1 he reason for 
their not being liner, was the ditiiculty ot attending to them. \ ou should 
have gone to Kew Gardens, and to the chief nursery grounds near Lon¬ 
don, to see tine specimens. 
Names of Plants (S’. //. J.). —The fleshy-leaved, is Iloija camosci; 
the long narrow-leaved Neriutn oletindat *, or Common Oleander. 1 he 
sprig is of the Lignum Vita*, Thuja Occident alia. We cannot name the 
Cactus from such a specimen. Yarrow is in The Cottage Gardeners 
Dictionary. See Achillea millefolium. (IP.il/.). J. Not certain. 2. 
Rosalind. 3. Queen. 4. Not certain. 5. Adventure. 0. Unique. 7. 
Ccelestina ageratoides ti. Manulea pedunculata. 9* Lobelia tulgens. 
10. Cotyledon orbieulata. 11. Plectranthus fruticosus. 
Diseased Laurel (R . Smith ).—Your laurel with leaves almost 
totally blanched, we think must be in a dying state. You may try what 
uncovering its roots, and putting to them some rich manure will do. It 
it dies, put fresh soil there before you plant another. 
Names of Pears (J. The green pear is Glout Morceau , and 
the other is For ell e, one of the most beautiful, and when in season, one 
of the best dessert pears we have. The tree is very hardy, an abundant 
bearer, and ought to lie grown more extensively than it is. 
CALENDAR FOR JANUARY. 
ORCHID HOUSE. 
Air. In this 'first month of the year we frequently have severe frosty 
nights, and clear, bright, sunny days. The heat necessary to keep out 
the frost, and the bright sun, will raise the temperature of the house too 
high ; to lower it to the right pitch air must he given, and the apertures 
to give air ought to be so placed that the cold air does not rush in directly 
upon or through the plants. The best place for the openings is directly 
opposite the pipes, the air then becomes heated in a degree betore it 
reaches the plants. Blocks : plants on these will require attention ; any 
that are loos'e should he refastened; cleanse the leaves and pseudo-bulbs 
from green scurf and all kinds of insects. Cyrtopodiums, see to; if 
any fresh growth is observable, repot in a rich compost. Dendrobiums, 
remove into a cool house; such as show growth may he potted and kept 
moderately moist. Heat : keep both the houses to the lowest point of 
heat for the first half of the month ; as the days lengthen allow the heat 
to increase a few degrees. Insects, continue to destroy. Moisture: 
on sunny days sprinkle the walks, walls, and pipes two or three times a- 
day. Potting, continue to perform upon all orchids beginning to grow. 
Soils, procure; such as fibrous peat and turfy loam; lay them in a 
place to dry, to he ready for the general potting next month. Souralias, 
place in a cool house ; heat, 55° by day, and 50° by night; cut down all 
the shoots that flowered the preceding summer, to allow room lor the 
young shoots ; keep them quite dry while at rest. Syringe blocks as 
directed last month. Water at the loots, apply carefully ; do not wet 
the young shoots. '!’• Appleby. 
PLANT STOVE. 
See last month. Prepare a hotbed, e., to strike cuttings in. Turn 
tan-bed , and renew the heat by adding fresh bark. Pot a second batch 
of Achimenes, Gesneras, and Gloxinias, to succeed those done last month. 
Give moderate supplies of water till they begin to grow. The heat of 
this house must still be kept low, as too much excitement will, for want 
of light, cause the plants to grow weak, and the young leaves to come 
yellow. Seeds of stove plants, sow, e., giving only one watering till 
they begin to appear. Hard-shelled seeds steep in water heated to 180° 
or 200° ; leave them till the water cools. T. Appleby. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Air. Whenever the sun overcomes the frost draw off the lights, it will 
refresh the plants much ; if kept on, the plants will begin to grow, and 
will be more liable to sutfer from close covering during severe weather. 
In dull, humid, mild weather, give air at the back or sides by tilting up 
the lights. Auriculas and Polyanthuses, dress off decayed leaves; 
search for slugs in the frames and under the pots. As the frost in this 
month is often very severe, apply Coverings of sufficient thickness to 
keep it out; light, open material, such as fern or straw, with a single mat 
over it to prevent it blowing about, is better than a covering of three mats 
laid close upon each other. Hollyhocks. Should the weather be open, 
plant them out. If not already done, the sooner this is done the better 
chance there is to have a good bloom. Use hoops and mats over the tulip 
and hyacinth beds in severe frosty or heavy rainy weather. Pinks : after 
tiie frost is gone press the soil to with the hand firmly, or they will he 
thrown quite out of the ground. Ranunculuses may be planted, 
weather permitting, the last week in the mouth (see former number of 
The Cottage Gardener as to the manner); water, give none in 
frosty weather, hut as soon as a change takes place apply it early in the 
morning of a line day. Verbenas: give air to; trim off decaying 
leaves and mould ; stop such as are growing and drawing up weak. 
T. Appleby. 
FLOWER-GARDEN. 
Annuals in borders, keep free from fallen leaves or other litter; and, 
if the weather is fine, sow a few more at the end of the month. Bulbs, 
see that mice or rats do not get to them : fresh soot keeps them off for 
awhile. Cuttings of various hardy deciduous shrubs, climbing roses, 
and the like, may yet he put in. Edgings, see that they are in good 
order -, slate edgings arc the best, then box: either may he laid this 
month. If the soil is dry at the end of the month, plant some Gladioli, 
such as Psittaeinus, and continue in monthly succession to the end of 
April. Forget not to procure such stakes, rods, pegs, and tallies, as may 
he wanted next summer, in time. Destroy rats, mice, and other creatures 
destructive to seeds and roots. Again look at the protected plants, to see 
they are dry. Grass, keep it clean and well rolled. Hedges, evergreen 
and otherwise, may yet he planted and dressed. Layers of evergreens 
or deciduous shrubs may he made as the borders are cleaned. Manure, 
in composts, apply to such flower-beds as may require assistance ; and in 
a solid, rotten state to all roses. Mulch all newly-planted trees, )kc. 
Potted plants in reserve-garden secure from frosts. Planting, push 
forward in mild weather. Privet, make cuttings of the young shoots 
for increase. Prune and regulate every tree or hush which requires it; 
he more sparing with evergreens. Ranunculuses, if the soil he dry, 
plant a lot for another succession. Roses, prune, plant, and dung, if 
not already done ; protect Tea and young Bourbons; and wash them 
with strong lime and soot paint, to kill moss and insects. Seedlings, 
and all young plants, protect according to their hardihood and strength. 
Suckers, pull up and destroy, unless wanted for increase, as those of 
some roses, &c. Trench vacant ground. Walks, roll as soon as they 
are dry, after rains or frost, and keep them regularly cleaned. Weeds, 
destroy everywhere. Wheeling, reserve for frosty or very dry weather. 
D. Beaton, 
FORCING HOUSE. 
Air: see Ventilation. Asparagus, provide succession; give plenty 
of water and air to crops up. Bottom-Heat may he on the rise slightly 
after the middle of the month ; for the present, 7<f° to 75°. Cucumbers, 
get on the early frames; above all, secure a sweet heat; use linings 
liberally, and often turn them ; those in boxes train regularly, top-dress, 
&c. Cherries : see Peach. Coverings, apply, in order to be able to 
ventilate ; apply also to vine borders. Fires, regulate with caution ; do 
not attempt high temperatures until more light; beware of night heat. 
Figs: see Vines ; those in pots love a little bottom-heat, and liberal 
waterings. Grapes, late, thill frequently ; keep a dry and cool air. 
Insects, attack unremittingly. Kidney Beans, continue successions ; 
keep a moist air temperature of 55° to Go 0 ; use liquid manure. Light, 
secure under all glass by clean washing. Mushroom beds, provide 
succession ; keep a moist air at 50° to 55°. Peaches, bring on steadily ; 
give plenty of air ; increase warmth to G0° when in blossom, to he able to 
air freely; shake the trees in bloom daily about noon. Pines: early 
fruiters will require more water after the middle ; late fruit dry at root, 
hut syringe heavily about once a week; water tan, and stir it with a 
stake; use strong linings to dung-pits, so as to give air very freely. 
Strawberries : it is now a good time to introduce plants ; keep them 
near the glass ; attend to watering, and let the temperature he 50° to G0°. 
Ventilate liberally; thermometer out-doors, watch; let your inside 
heat rise and fall as that outside moves. Vines in leaf, 60° to 7u° by 
day ; attend to border covering; keep a warm and dryish air when they 
are in blossom, with regular air. Water, use in a tepid state, frequently 
wetting floors. Wash foul leaves by sponge, &c. ; if Scale appears, 
employ soap-suds. R. Errington. 
ORCHARD. 
Almonds, plant. Apples (espalier), prune, &c.; plant, &c. Apri¬ 
cots, plant. Brine, apply with a scrubbing-brush to stems and branches 
of fruit-trees, to destroy insects, eggs, and moss. Cherries (wall and 
espalier), prune and train; plant. ChesnuTS, plant. Currants, prune ; 
plant. Cuttings of gooseberries, &c., may he planted. Drainage, 
attend to. Espaliers, prune and regulate. Figs, protect from frost. 
Filberts, plant. Fork the surface around fruit-trees. Gooseberries, 
plant; prune. Layers, plant. Leaves, collect for various uses. 
Medlars, plant. Mulberries, plant. Mulch, put around newly- 
planted trees. Nectarines, plant; prune and train in frosty weather. 
Peaches (see Nectarine). Pears, plant; (espalier) prune, &c. Plums, 
plant; (wall and espalier) prune. Pruning, attend to generally. 
Quinces, plant. Raspberries, plant; prune and dress. Services, 
plant. Snails, destroy in their torpid state. Stake and support trees 
newly planted. Standards, remove dead and irregular branches from. 
Suckers, plant; eradicate from fruit-trees. Strawberries, top-dress 
and protect. Top-dress borders where exhausted fruit-trees are. 
Trench and prepare borders, &c., for planting. Vinks, prune and 
train. Wall-trees generally, prune and regulate. Walls: it .is a 
very beneficial plan tq paint these, by means ol a whitewasher’s brush, 
with a liquid mixture of lime, soot, and sulphur—1 lb. soot, 2 lh. sulphur, 
and 2 lb. lime. It destroys and banishes insects, as well as by its dark 
colour promoting .the warmth of the wall. The liquid employed, in 
which to mix the above, should he urine and soapsuds, in equal pro¬ 
portions. 
Any trees proposed to be regrafted in the spring may he headed down 
now in open weather, hut the stumps of the branches should be left 
sufficiently long to permit a few inches more to he cut off at the time of 
grafting. R. Errington. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Air, admit at every favourable opportunity, whenever the temperature 
outside is above 35°, except in windy or foggy weather, especially among 
heaths, epacriscs, and azaleas that you do not wish to bloom early. In 
foggy weather, though warm, it will he advisable to put on a little fire, \ 
to change the visible to invisible vapour. If the fog was of short con¬ 
tinuance, and could he kept out of the house, air might he dispensed 
with, as well as fires, though it should not be forgotten that the motion 
given to the air by a little firing is a great security for the health of the 
plants in dull weather. Soft-wooded plants should he kept at one end of 
