Fourth Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



During continued frosty weather fires must be kept up in these houses,

and then particular attention must be given to the New Holland plants,

Heaths, and such like, which are impatient of heat, that they do not

suffer from want of water. Be sure that the ball is thoroughly moistened

at least once a-week.





PITS AND FRAMES.



Amongst climbers, Calampelises, Coboeas, Lophospermums, Maurandyas,

Rodochitons, and Tropaeolums, deserve attention at this time, increasing

them by cuttings or by seeds. Some annuals are also worthy of attention,

such as Brachycomas, Phloxes, Portulaccas, Schizanthuses, with others

which may all be forwarded in heat. Whoever has not yet attended to the

propagation of plants for bedding out, should now begin, without further

delay, to put in cuttings of Fuchsias, Verbenas, Heliotropes, Petunias,

Salvias, Scarlet Geraniums, &c., to have good plants in May and June.

All straggling and weak shoots to be topped back to form robust, bushy

plants.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



Some of the stove plants that have done blooming should be cut back,

such as the Eranthemum pulchellum, Euphorbia jacquiniaeflora,

Geissomeria longiflora, Gesnera lateritia, Justicias, Linum

trigynum, Poinsettia pulcherrima, and others. A bottom heat will be

necessary when they are repotted, which may be done in about three weeks

or a month. Such of the most forward plants, as they require shifting,

to be attended to. The condition or fitness for this must, in a great

measure, be determined by the progress the shoots and roots have made.





FORCING-PIT.



Continue to introduce plants of Azaleas, Hyacinths, Heliotropes,

Hydrangeas, Kalmias, Sedums, Lilacs, Narcissus, Pelargoniums, Pinks,

Rhododendrons, and Roses in varieties. A batch of last year's young

Fuchsias, Erythrinas, and Salvia patens, to be shaken out, repotted,

and placed in bottom heat. Sow Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Amaranths, &c.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Cucumbers.--Attend as previously advised to thinning and stopping, set

the fruit blossom when open, keep the inside of the frames watered with

warm water, and apply some occasionally to the roots. Water overhead on

fine days, shutting up with 75 deg. or 80 deg. of heat.



Cherries.--They will be benefited by frequent syringings at all times

except when in bloom. Air to be given on all favourable occasions,

shutting up with as much solar heat as possible. Keep down the green fly

and look well after caterpillars.



Figs.--Maintain a kindly humidity, but do not syringe overhead, except

on very fine days, as too much moisture is apt to cause the fruit to

drop off or to turn yellow.



Peaches.--Tie in the forwardest shoots in the early-house as they

advance; gradually disbud and thin out all the shoots that are not

wanted; thin the fruit but not too much at once, and, with water of the

temperature of the house, syringe the trees that have set their fruit.

Remove large shoots cautiously, and reserve, in tying and disbudding,

merely sufficient wood for next spring.



Pines.--The atmospheric heat to be gradually increased in the

fruiting-house, and the plants to be frequently syringed, taking care

that no water is allowed to lodge in the hearts of the plants. The

plants swelling their fruit to be watered occasionally with clean soot

water, air to be admitted on every favourable opportunity, but cold

draughts to be avoided. A good heat to be kept up in succession-pits

worked with linings.



Strawberries.--To be placed near the glass with plenty of air, and in

favourable weather to be liberally supplied with warm manure water, and

the surface of the pots to be frequently stirred.



Vines.--As soon as the first swelling is completed, and the stoning

process commences, allow a little more liberty to the laterals to induce

a corresponding increase of root action. All shoots to be properly

trained up; but none to be allowed to touch the glass. All small bunches

to be removed when in flower. When the fruit is set, the heat by day may

be allowed to rise from 70 deg. to 80 deg.. See to the border coverings,

if out-doors, as also border waterings, if in-doors. Be careful when

admitting air to the early Vines, to avoid cold currents and changes,

for in the space of an hour we have sometimes strong sunshine, sleet

or snow, and cutting winds. Vines in pots to be supplied with plenty of

manure water in all stages of growth, but especially when swelling off

their fruit.