Thrid Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



Keep the conservatory as cool by day as is consistent with the health of

the plants. By such means they will remain longer in bloom, and will be

more enjoyable for parties inspecting them.



Camellias.--Continue to encourage the growth of those that have done

flowering by increasing the temperature, by frequent syringings, and by

a liberal supply of water at the roots. If any have made their growth,

and have formed their blossom-buds, they will require more light and

less moisture for the future.



Cinerarias.--To continue them in a healthy blooming state it is

necessary to attend to them carefully, that they may not droop for want

of water, nor be saturated with it. When the sun is powerful, slight

shading is necessary for a few hours in the middle of the day, to

prevent the blooms from losing their brilliancy; and plenty of air to be

given when the weather is mild.



Fuchsias.--Having been treated with plenty of heat and moisture, they

will now be making rapid growth, and will be fit to shift into their

blooming-pots, using a light, rich soil for the purpose.



New Holland Plants.--Top and syringe frequently all such plants as are

growing freely. Stake and tie them as they may require.



Pelargoniums.--Continue to stake and tie the shoots that require it in

due time. Some clear liquid manure (cowdung water, for instance) may be

given to plants that are well established with roots and showing their

trusses of bloom; and sufficient space to be given for each plant to

develope its natural beauty. We would advise shading only when there is

a fear of scorching from the usual sudden sunbursts of April weather.

Ply the syringe every fine evening to refresh the plants, and to

keep down insects, until the flowers expand, when syringing should be

discontinued.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



The stove plants recently potted will now be making fresh growth. Allow

no diminution of bottom heat, and keep up a warm, moist atmosphere. Give

air when the thermometer indicates 90 deg.. Continue to shift Gesneras,

Clerodendrons, and other such free-growing plants, as they require it.

The Brassias, Cattleyas, some of the Dendrobiums, Gongoras, Peristerias,

Phaiuses, Sobralias, Zygopetalums, and other such Orchids, will now

be growing freely, and will therefore require a considerable amount of

atmospheric moisture. If the roof is covered with climbers, a little

management in trimming them will obviate the necessity of outside

shading, and will give an additional feature of interest to the house.

The plants on blocks, or suspended in baskets, will require very

frequent syringings to keep them in a healthy-growing state. Plants

in bloom may be removed to the conservatory, or any other house with a

drier atmosphere, to prolong their period of blooming.





FORCING-HOUSE.



Cherries.--When they begin to change they will require free exposure to

light, and abundance of air, to bring out their colour; and, at the same

time, a diminution in the supply of water. Carefully examine all curled

leaves, and destroy the grubs they contain. If the trees are very

luxuriant, and are making strong foreright shoots, stop them to within a

few buds of the main branch.



Figs.--Give the trees in pots some clear liquid manure when they are

swelling off. Stop the shoots at about six or eight inches, and thin out

any useless shoots. Syringe and water freely.



Melons.--Keep the vines thin, and stop regularly. Shade only in very hot

weather. Water sparingly overhead. Plant out succession crops.



Peaches and Nectarines.--When the fruit in the early house has gone

through the critical process of stoning, the final thinning should take

place; the borders--if inside, or out, or both--should be copiously

supplied with water; using liquid manure whenever a weak habit, from

poor soil or over-exhaustion, shows it to be necessary. Syringings to

be given twice a-day--early in the morning and at shutting-up time. The

night temperature to be no more than 50 deg.; but during the day it may

range to 85 deg., if accompanied with air in liberal quantities.



Pine Apples.--Lessen the moisture amongst the fruiting plants when

they approach maturity. Shift and grow on the young stock in a moist

atmosphere; admit air freely in fine weather; prepare beds, and turn out

the plants, if preferred.



Strawberries.--They should be kept near the glass: temperature, 65 deg.

to 70 deg. by day, and 55 deg. to 60 deg. by night; succession crops

rather cooler. Reduce the water to those ripening. Support the stems,

and thin the fruit where superior produce is wanted. Keep them clear of

runners and decayed leaves, and give an abundance of air.



Vines.--Continue to thin the Grapes in the early houses: a few berries

may require to be taken out of some of the bunches up to the time of

their changing colour. Keep up a high temperature--about 75 deg. by day

and 60 deg. by night: in later houses, where the bunches are in course

of formation, it is a great object to bring them out well. In later

houses, where the bunches are formed, or in bloom, let the heat be

moderately increased, and admit an abundance of air at all favourable

opportunities. Shift pot Vines often, and keep them near the light.