Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



Every dead, decaying, and mouldy leaf, and flowerstalk, to be removed

as soon as they are seen. Mildew to be banished by an application of

flowers of sulphur, and afterwards to be prevented from making its

appearance by a free ventilation on clear, mild mornings, using a little

fire heat at the same time. Great caution is now necessary in giving

water to the plants, more especially to such as have not well matured

their growth, and are in a rather soft state. It is also advisable

to look over them every morning, that the flagging of a leaf may be

noticed, and the necessary supply of water be given. All pots to be

turned around occasionally to keep the plants uniform.



Calceolarias.--Remove all decayed leaves, and be careful to give no more

water than is really required. Keep down green fly.



Cinerarias.--No more fire heat to be given than is necessary to keep out

frost. The plants intended for large specimens to receive their final

shift; air to be given on all occasions in favourable weather. Every one

that is getting pot-bound to be shifted. Green fly to be kept down by

fumigating. The most forward to have the lightest place in the house,

close to the glass, with sufficient space for the air to circulate

freely around the foliage of each.



Pelargoniums.--To be kept rather cool and dry; fire heat to be avoided,

except when necessary to prevent the temperature falling below 40 deg.,

or to dispel damp. Every plant intended for early bloom to be arranged

in the best form. The system of arranging a piece of twisted bass under

the rim of the pot, to which loops are fastened to secure the shoots

and the better formation of the plant, obviates the too-extensive use of

sticks, a superfluity of which is at all times objectionable.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



Continue to act as advised lately. Care and caution in the application

of water are more especially required, as there is not a single feature

in the cultivation of plants during the winter in which the amateur is

more likely to err, and by reason of which a greater amount of injury

is sustained, than in the application of water either in its fluid or

vaporous state. If applied to the soil in superabundance, the roots,

being inactive, are certain to sustain some degree of injury; and if

it is applied in excess to the atmosphere in the form of vapour, the

exhalations from the leaves of the plants will be checked in consequence

of the density of the medium that surrounds them when they will be sure

to suffer.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Cucumbers.--Sow some good variety for planting out next month. A

one-light frame on a well-worked bed of dung and leaves is most suitable

for the purpose, as producing an atmosphere moist and congenial for

their healthy vegetation and growth.



Peaches.--Syringe the trees that are just started and swelling the buds,

and keep every plant clean and neat.



Pines.--When the application of fire heat is necessary during severe

weather, it is advisable to pay particular attention to those that have

done blooming and swelling off in various stages, that they may not

receive a check from being over-dry at the roots.



Vines.--Leaves, or dung, or both mixed together, when used to produce

fermentation, and a sweet vaporous atmosphere to "break" the early

Vines, should be turned and watered at least once a-week. Keep the wood

generally moist, and proceed in forcing with caution as before advised.

As the most essential point in early forcing is to secure a healthy and

vigorous root action, it is advisable, if the Vines are planted

inside, to excite the roots by an occasional application of water at a

temperature from 85 deg. to 90 deg.. It the Vines are planted outside,

a steady heat of about 60 deg. should be maintained by the fermenting

matter placed on the border to be frequently turned over, and protected

with dry litter from the frost or other unfavourable weather. Houses

intended to commence forcing the early part of next month, to have some

fermenting materials placed on the borders to excite the roots a little

before the Vines are started, which will be of some assistance to make

the buds push strongly and without much loss of time. To induce the

buds to break regularly throughout the whole length of the Vine, it is

frequently necessary to bend the rod so as to incline the most forward

buds to the lowest level, and to elevate the most backward.