Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



Some of the most hardy and woody plants may be removed from the

greenhouse to a cold pit, where they can be protected from frost. It

will make more room for the Cinerarias, Pelargoniums, and other such

plants.



Azaleas.--Such as have done blooming to be repotted, and their fresh

growth to be gently promoted in a higher temperature for a short time.



Camellias.--Continue to keep a moist atmosphere about the plants making

wood, with a temperature of about 65 deg. by day and 55 deg. by night.

Air to be given at all opportunities, to produce sturdy, short-jointed

wood. The plants in flower to be shaded during bright sunshine.



Cinerarias.--Regular attention to be given to them, that they may not

suffer by want of water.



Climbers.--Regulate them as they grow, more particularly those in pots

which are intended to cover a wire trellis. Kennedyas, Thunbergias,

Nierembergias, Tropaeolums, and other such plants of a slender and

tender habit, delight in a soil the greater proportion being composed of

leaf mould.



Chrysanthemums.--Strike cuttings, and pot off rooted suckers.



Heaths.--Any requiring repotting, should receive that attention without

delay, apportioning the size of the pot to the vigour of their growth;

as the free-growing kinds will require more room than the less vigorous

ones.



New Holland Plants.--As many of them are now either in flower, or

approaching that state, they will, consequently, require a larger

quantity of water,--more especially large specimens not shifted since

last season. Continue to pinch off the tops of the leading shoots, to

produce bushy plants.



Pelargoniums.--Attention to be given in tying up, watering, and

fumigating, if the green fly appears.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



As the soft-wooded stove plants will now be making rapid growth, the

free admission of light is necessary to prevent them from drawing; using

shade only during scorching sunshine. When a plant is shifted, give less

water to the roots; as the fresh soil, after the first watering will be

moist enough for some time. Some of the free-growing kinds of Cattleyas,

Calanthes, Phaiuses, Saccolabiums, Stanhopeas, and Zygopetalums, should

be encouraged to make kindly growth by frequent syringings about their

pots, blocks, or baskets.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Cherries.--The principal objects to be attended to are--abundance of

air, with due precaution against cold draughts, a moist atmosphere, and

the free application of the syringe. The temperature the same as last

week. Particular attention in watering to be paid to the trees in

pots,--as too much is as bad as, if not worse than, too little.



Figs.--Continue stopping the young shoots at the fourth or fifth eye.

Keep the syringe in frequent use until the fruits begin to change for

ripening. Plenty of water, and occasionally a little weak tepid liquid

manure, to be given at the roots, more especially when they are confined

in pots or tubs.



Melons.--As soon as a sufficient number of fruit blossoms for a crop

are expanded, or are likely to expand within a day or two of each other,

they should be impregnated. As prevention is better than cure, keep

the plants in a healthy-growing state by frequent syringings in fine

weather, and closing early; insects will but rarely, if ever, attack

thriving plants.



Peaches and Nectarines.--As soon as the stoning of the fruit in the

early house is completed, give them a good watering with clear, weak

liquid manure; keep the shoots tied in regularly, and pinch off all

laterals. If the fruits in the late house are set, partially thin them;

as more dependence may now be placed on a crop than at an earlier period

of the season.



Pine Apples.--Fruiting plants will be greatly benefited by strong solar

heat, as, under its influence, evaporation will be rapid; therefore,

water must be applied to both roots and leaves. Succession plants to be

shaded during sudden bright sunshine or sunbursts; and be guided in the

application of water by the active or inactive state of the roots.



Vines.--Thinning the fruit is an operation of primary importance. The

first thinning to be performed when the berries are the size of Peas;

the second when they begin to be crowded; and the third after the

berries are stoned. A piece of strong wire, eight or ten inches long,

crooked at one end, is useful to draw the bunches backward and forward,

as the operator may require. The Vines in the late house to be tied up

as soon as they begin to break. Syringe them every fine afternoon, and

close the house early. Give air early in the morning, that the leaves

may become gradually dry before the sun acts powerfully upon them.