Fourth Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



As most plants here are now in active growth, they will require a

liberal supply of water. If the sun shines very brightly, a slight

shading would be of benefit for a few hours on very hot days.



Azaleas, Chinese.--When done blooming, they succeed best in a close pit,

kept moderately moist and slightly shaded in the middle of the day. If

they are too large for a pit, they will do well in a vinery, or in any

other large house where they can stand at a distance from the glass

without shading.



Balsams and Cockscombs.--Promote their growth by shifting them into

larger pots, in rich soil, with an abundance of light near the glass,

and heat.



Camellias to be treated as advised for Azaleas.



Geraniums.--If any remain after the flower-garden masses are furnished,

they should be potted and treated with every attention as to watering,

&c. When they have made fresh roots, and begin to grow freely, to be

stopped, to make bushy plants. Calceolarias, Fuchsias, Petunias,

Verbenas, &c., treated in a similar manner, will be useful as a

reserve to succeed the greenhouse plants that are now in bloom, and to

fill up vacancies as they occur in the beds and borders.



Heaths and New Holland Plants.--Many being now in full growth will

require an abundance of water, more especially in bright weather. Many

fine specimens are frequently lost through imperfect watering; for

if the ball is once allowed to get thoroughly dry, all endeavours to

restore the plant to health and vigour are generally unsuccessful.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



Ornamental stove plants--such as Brugmansias, Centradenias,

Clerodendrons, Eranthemums, Euphorbias, Geissomerias, Gesneras,

Justicias, Poinsettias, &c., to be supplied with clear liquid manure,

and to have their rambling shoots stopped. Many of the free-growing

plants will require shifting occasionally. The great object should be

to get rapid growth when light abounds, and thus to secure luxuriant

foliage at the right season, when there will be more time for the wood

to be properly matured for winter. The syringings to be given early in

the afternoon, that the plants may get dry before night.



Achimenes.--When grown in large seed-pans they produce a fine effect.





FORCING-HOUSE.



Cherries.--Give more air, and keep a drier atmosphere when the fruit is

ripening. Give plenty of water to the trees now swelling their fruit.

Syringe frequently, and keep the foliage and fruit free from insects.



Chrysanthemums.--Pot off as soon as rooted. If not already struck, the

cuttings should be put in at once.



Cucumbers.--Stop them, and water freely. All that are intended for

ridges, if hardened off, should now be planted out. See that the ball of

earth is well soaked with water before planting.



Figs.--Give them plenty of air during the day in fine weather, with

abundance of water. Use the syringe freely, except when fruit is

ripening.



Peaches.--Although a dry atmosphere is necessary to give flavour to the

ripening fruit, it is not advisable to withhold water altogether from

the roots while the trees are making their growth. Water the inside

borders in the morning in clear weather, so that any vapour that arises

may pass off during the day. The outside borders, if dry, should also

be watered as far as the roots extend, and then mulched, to prevent

evaporation during hot, dry weather. If the early-forced trees have

naked branches, some of the earliest-made wood may be taken from the

trees, and buds inserted from it in the barren parts. Buds inserted

now may start into growth in July, and be stopped when about six inches

long, to get the wood well ripened.



Pines.--A bottom heat from 80 deg. to 85 deg. must be kept up to the

plants intended for fruiting in the autumn. It is advisable, where

practicable, to allow the stools from which fruit has been cut to remain

in the house for some time; to supply them liberally with water, and

occasionally with liquid manure; to encourage the growth of the suckers.



Vines.--In the houses where Grapes are ripening, the temperature may be

allowed to rise to 90 deg., with sun heat, and to decline to 60 deg. at

night. In the succession-houses thin the bunches, and do not be covetous

to over-crop the Vines, as it is the cause of many bad effects. Stop

laterals, and use the syringe freely in the afternoons.