JANUARY. 31 
be placed in the warmest end of the house. Pot a batch of Achimenes, 
Gloxinias, Clerodendrons, &c., for early blooming, and place them in the 
cool end of the house; also repot any plants which may require this 
attention. See to the propagation of things wanted for autumn 
decoration, as Begonias, &c. Temperature from 60° to 70°, with a rise 
of 10° to 15°, with sunshine, giving air only when necessary, to prevent 
the sun raising the temperature too high. 
Greenhouse. Hard-wooded plants, as Ericas, &c., should have a rather 
dry atmosphere, giving air freely on fine days, but cold frosty winds 
should not be allowed to pass over the plants, as is often done by giving 
back and front air on the forenoons of bright cold days, when only the 
top sashes should be opened. Attend very carefully to the watering, 
keeping the plants rather on the side of dryness; but when a plant 
must be watered, giving enough to moisten the ball throughout. Be 
as sparing as possible of fire heat, not raising the temperature by this 
means above 40°. Calceolarias and other soft-wooded plants do better 
in pits than in an ordinary greenhouse amongst hard-wooded plants, 
but where these must be grown here, they should be placed by them- 
selves as much as possible, giving air very sparingly against them, for 
they require a moister atmosphere, and a rather higher temperature 
than is advisable for hard-wooded plants at this season. See that these 
are kept perfectly clear of aphis, and also that they do not suffer for 
want of pot room before they are shifted into their blooming pots. 
Cold Frames. The stock here must be guarded from frost by 
sufficient covering whenever this may be wanted. Give air liberally 
on mild days, and a little whenever it can be safely done. Keep 
the plants rather dry at the root, and when watering is necessary let 
this be done early on a bright day. See that Verbenas and other 
things liable to suffer from aphis and mildew have the proper remedies 
applied immediately they may be wanted. Remove all decaying leaves 
as they make their appearance. Anything of which a large increase 
is required by planting out time should be placed in a warm moist 
~ atmosphere, repotting such as may require it, and using every care to 
obtain a sufficient stock of strong cuttings early. This advice will be 
especially necessary in cases where the stock of Golden Chain and other 
variegated-leaved Geraniums were unfortunately exposed to the early 
autumn frost, for unless cuttings of these can be obtained early in spring 
the plants will not produce much effect in the beds the first season. 
Flower Garden. Any alterations which may yet be in hand or 
projected here should be pushed forward with the greatest possible 
dispatch. Prune the summer flowering and Hybrid Perpetual Roses, 
and either give a liberal dressing of thoroughly decayed manure or well 
soak the ground about their roots with strong liquid manure. Those 
kinds liable to be injured by severe frost had better not be pruned 
at present. Prepare ground intended for fresh plantations of Roses, 
trenching deep and manuring liberally, and plant hardy kinds as soon 
as convenient; also get any spring flowering bulbs planted which may 
have been neglected until now. Push forward any routine work 
requiring attention. 
Fruit (hardy). Continue to prune and nail Plums, Pears, Cherries, 
and Apricots, taking advantage of every favourable opportunity to 
