Thrid Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



Careful attention should now be given to the picking off mouldy and dead

leaves, decaying flower-stems, &c., as they spread contagion wherever

they touch. Drip to be prevented, and atmospheric humidity to be

disposed of by a gentle day fire occasionally, and the free admission of

air.



Azaleas (Chinese).--Introduce a few into heat for early bloom. The A.

Indica alba and Phoenicea are best to begin with; to be succeeded

by Smith's coccinea, and after it any of the other varieties. As

decorations for the conservatory or drawing-room they are invaluable

where they continue for six weeks or two months in perfect beauty.



Camellias.--Water, when necessary, to be given in a slightly tepid

state, and plenty of air, that the buds may be allowed to swell full and

prominent by a slow but sure process. If bloom is required early, to be

forwarded by introducing them into a situation where heat is applied.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



Withhold moisture entirely from the roots of deciduous Orchids, and

such as are sinking into a state of repose. Any late specimens, or

importations, making late growths to be favoured with the best light

situations in the house and a little water, to keep up the vitality

sufficient to produce the secretions necessary to carry them safely

through the dull days of winter. Look over all growing plants, and see

that they do not suffer for want of water. Look to every Orchid,

even the smallest growing on blocks or in baskets, they all require

attention. Repot or surface dress any that require it. A favourable

day to be chosen to wash the lights for the more free admission of that

agent most indispensable for their health. The whole to be kept neat,

and free from insects; and the plants on stages, tables, or suspended

from blocks, baskets, &c., to be arranged in a manner the most suitable

for a picturesque and pleasing effect.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Where early forcing is intended it is advisable to give a thorough

cleansing to the houses by limewashing and dressing the wood of

Cherries, Figs, Peaches, Vines, &c., as frequently directed.



Beans (Dwarf Kidney).--Sow in six-inch pots; when crocked to be filled

within three inches of the rim with a compost consisting of old Cucumber

or Melon mould, rotten dung and leaf mould in about equal proportions.

To be placed in any convenient part of the forcing-house for a few days

until the soil is warm. The Beans are then sown about ten or twelve in

each pot, and pressed by the finger about an inch below the soil. In a

week they will be up; to be then thinned out, according to the strength

of the plants, to six or eight in each, and to receive a gentle

watering. When the two first leaves are fully developed the plants to

be earthed up as high as the cotyledons. To be regularly syringed and

watered at the roots, taking especial care that they do not become

too wet, or they will damp off. When they have made two joints to be

stopped, to cause them to produce laterals and bearing branches. The

plants to be placed as close to the glass as possible. The Chinese

Dwarf and Fulmer are good sorts for forcing.



Figs.--A temperature of about 40 deg. will suit them at present; if

allowed to get lower they are very apt to suffer. Trees in pots to be

removed to any house where that degree of temperature is kept up.



Peaches.--Where the roots are inside, and have been kept dry, an

application of weak, clear liquid manure, at the temperature of summer

heat (76 deg.), will act as a stimulant to the roots, whose services are

required before much excitement takes place at top.



Pines.--Now, at the dullest season of the year, it is necessary to be

very cautious in regulating the bottom and surface temperatures, more

especially in the succession-houses or pits; a bottom heat of about 70

deg., with a steady top temperature of about 60 deg. during the day, and

about 55 deg. during the night, will keep the plants in a comparatively

comfortable state of rest, neither allowing the temperature to decline

so low as to reduce their vitality to such a degree as to endanger their

restoration to vigour in proper season, nor to rise so high as to excite

them into a growth that would be immature for want of solar light and

heat. A moderate application of water will also be necessary.



Vines.--When the Grapes are all cut, prune the Vines without loss of

time, that the wounds may have sufficient time to get perfectly healed

before they are excited into growth. If delayed until early spring,

bleeding will be sure to follow. Vines in pots intended for forcing

should either be placed within the protection of the house appropriated

to them, or secured from the effects of severe weather.