Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



As boisterous winds, heavy rains, and other atmospheric changes

occur about this time, it is advisable to draft the choicest out-door

greenhouse plants to their winter quarters. Each plant to be carefully

examined, dead leaves removed, and any defects in the soil or drainage

of the pots to be remedied. If worm-casts, or other indications of

the presence of worms, appear on the surface of the soil, by carefully

turning the ball of soil out of the pot they can generally be picked

out. If they are not visible on the outside of the ball, a small peg

stuck in will direct particular attention to it until the intruder is

removed. When staging the plants, a pleasing variety may be introduced

by placing a few on inverted pots. Sufficient space to be given to

each plant to allow the air to circulate freely around. If there is

not sufficient room for all, the oldest or mis-shapen plants may be

rejected, or wintered in a pit or vinery. When housed, all the air

possible should be given in fine weather by the entire withdrawal of the

lights, and only reducing the ventilation when unfavourable changes in

the weather take place.



Heliotropes.--Pay attention to keep them in a growing, healthy state for

winter flowering.



Mignonette.--Sow now and a month hence, for winter and spring blooming.



Pinks.--Pot Anne Boleyne and other sorts, to be well established

before they are wanted for forcing.



Roses.--Some of the Tea-scented and China kinds, being placed under

glass, and to be repotted if requisite, will promote immediate growth

and early blooming.



Violets.--Take up with good balls, to be potted in rotten turf, or leaf

mould and road-scrapings, in 48 or 32-sized pots, placed in a pit or

frame near the glass, for flowers in the winter and early spring.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



As the season of active growth is now getting to a close, it is

advisable to ripen off gradually the pseudo-bulbs and strong healthy

shoots by keeping up a genial atmosphere, ranging from 70 deg. to

80 deg., with abundance of air in favourable weather. Cattleyas,

Epidendrum Skinneri, Laelias, Lycaste Skinneri, and Odontoglossum

grande, to be kept rather cool, and to be slightly syringed

occasionally. Water to be given more sparingly to all the plants except

such as are growing freely. Shading to be now dispensed with as much as

possible, that the plants may have the benefit of the ripening influence

of the sun.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Figs.--Continue to pay strict attention to the state of the atmosphere.

Where the fruit is still swelling and ripening, slight fires will be

useful in dull, cold weather, to assist in ripening the fruit; and but

little syringing and watering will be required from this time forward.



Melons.--Take advantage of fine weather by giving plenty of air,

shutting up early, and keeping the shoots regularly thinned. In whatever

structure they may be growing, it is advisable to keep up the bottom

heat by a gentle fire, or by linings.



Peaches.--We will suppose the trees to be now fully exposed to the air

night and day, and will, therefore, require but little attention, except

an occasional washing with the engine, to remove insects and to allow

the foliage to perform its functions to a natural decay. If a blank

in the house is to be filled up, it may be done as soon as the crop is

gathered from the open wall; and the crop to be expected from the same

tree next season will depend upon the care with which it is removed, as

there will be sufficient time for the wood to be ripened and the tree to

make fresh roots, and to get sufficiently established before winter.



Pines.--Where young stock is grown in dung-pits, care to be taken by

giving air freely in favourable weather, to avoid growing the plants

weakly in a close and warm temperature, and by a sufficient command of

heat from the linings to allow a little air to be given at night and on

cloudy days.



Vines.--All long growths, whether bearing or not, to be stopped, as it

is getting too late for them to be benefited by the foliage made after

this period of the year. A gentle fire in damp weather is useful to keep

the atmosphere dry when the fruit is ripe. The bunches to be frequently

and carefully looked over and all tainted berries removed, and the

foliage kept free from insects. Fire heat is also necessary where

the fruit is not yet ripe, and where the fruit is cut it is sometimes

necessary to keep the atmosphere dry and rather warm, to ripen the wood.