Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



As the boisterous gales and violent showers that frequently occur

at this season, succeeded by intervals of mild weather and brilliant

sunshine, are frequently difficult to deal with, constant attention is

necessary that a free admission of air, when in a genial state, may be

given, and the cold, cutting east or north-east winds excluded. Frequent

watering will also be necessary, and fires to be dispensed with, or only

used occasionally, merely to ward off the rigour of sharp nights. The

plants in good health, and well rooted, to receive a liberal shift.

All plants when shifted to be accommodated with a little extra heat and

moisture in the atmosphere until they begin to make fresh roots, when

they will require to be more freely exposed, to produce a sturdy,

vigorous growth.



Camellias.--The plants that have finished flowering to be removed to

a higher temperature, where a moist atmosphere is kept up by frequent

syringings.



Cinerarias.--Tie out the principal shoots of the most forward, to form

handsome plants. Manure water of the temperature of the house to be

given occasionally. The more backward to be shifted into larger pots

as they may require them, and all to receive plenty of air, light, and

room.



Fuchsias.--They require to be accommodated with a warm, moist

temperature, both at top and bottom, and the free use of the syringe, to

make them large pyramidal specimens.



Pelargoniums.--Attention to be paid to their training, to watering, and

to the admission of air. Shift on young plants, and stop all that may be

wanted for late blooming.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



Finish the shifting of all specimen plants in the stove as soon as

possible. A brisk, growing, moist temperature to be kept up during the

day, and to shut up early. They delight in a tan-bed where the bottom

heat ranges from 70 deg. to 80 deg..



Orchids will now require a regular looking over. Those on blocks of wood

with moss should have the moss renewed, and fresh turf to be supplied to

those in pots in a growing state.





FORCING-HOUSES.



The general routine in these structures will comprise disbudding,

tying-in advancing shoots, thinning the fruit, watering, syringing

morning and evening, airing, and shutting up early with plenty of

solar heat; and to be each and all attended to in good time to obtain

satisfactory results.



Cherries.--Caution in the application of water is now necessary, as

either too much or too little will cause the fruit to drop.



Cucumbers.--The heat of the beds, which will be found to decline rapidly

during cold winds, should be kept up by fresh linings; and air to be

given daily, to allow the superfluous moisture to escape, taking care

to prevent the wind from entering the frames by placing a mat or canvass

before the openings.



Figs.--A free supply of water, with liquid manure occasionally, to be

given to the most forward crop. Where there is the convenience, the

trees in pots are generally placed in a pit of rotten leaves into which

they root, and where they are allowed to remain until they have borne

their crops and ripened their wood, when the roots are cut back to the

pot. Trees planted out succeed best when confined in brick pits, where

short-jointed fruitful wood is produced without root pruning, which is

necessary when the roots are allowed to ramble without control.



Melons.--This is a good time to ridge-out plants, as the sun will have

a powerful and beneficial influence at the time when it will be most

wanted to ripen off the fruit. Pot off young plants, and sow seed for a

succession.



Pines.--Continue to keep up a regular and moist heat; to be supplied

with soot or other manure water occasionally during the whole time they

are swelling the fruit until they attain their full size; watering and

syringing overhead should be withheld when they begin to change colour,

to give flavour to the fruit. The succession-plants recently potted to

be very moderately supplied with manure water, and in a very diluted

state until their roots reach the sides of the pots.



Strawberries.--Introduce succession-plants under glass, according to the

demand. Keep the atmosphere dry when the plants are in bloom and near

the glass; admitting at all opportunities a good supply of fresh air

without currents.



Vines.--Persevere in thinning the bunches, as it is a mistake to leave

more on the Vine than it is likely to finish off to perfection. The

borders to be examined that a gentle warmth may be maintained at the

roots. When the Vines are planted inside, apply good soakings of manure

water occasionally. Thin the shoots of the late Vines as soon as the

bunches are perceptible.