Second Week

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.



The plants being cleaned, surfaced, staked, and arranged, they will

require but little beyond the ordinary attentions of watering and

regulating the admission of air. Plants, when fresh surfaced, sometimes

droop without any apparent cause, which generally arises from the roots

being very dry; the fresh soil absorbing most of the moisture, and

the water escaping between the pot and ball of earth. This is usually

brought on by surfacing the plants when dry: as soon, therefore, as the

consequences are observed, the plants should be examined, and sufficient

water given to wet the ball of earth thoroughly.



Chrysanthemums.--Treat them without further delay as advised in a late

Calendar. An occasional and moderate supply of clear liquid manure

will assist to develope their flowers to greater perfection. If any

indication of mildew appear an application of the flowers of sulphur,

when the foliage is damp, will banish it.



Fuchsias.--Encourage the young stock to continue their blooming by the

application of a little weak liquid manure. When the flowering is over,

and they have lost most of their leaves, they may then be set aside in

any corner free from frost for the winter. To be kept moderately dry.



Myrtles.--These and other such evergreen plants requiring protection

to be placed in pits or frames, or in any other structure, as near the

glass as possible. To be watered regularly; but, like all other plants,

care must be taken that they do not get too much at any time during the

winter.





STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSE.



The plants that have taken their rest should be shaken out, and

repotted; pruning back such as require it, and placing them in a gentle

bottom heat. The Orchids showing bloom--such as the Cypripediums,

Phajus grandifolius and Stenorhynchus speciosus--to be supplied

with plenty of heat and moisture. Some of the other sorts--such as the

Catasetums, the Cycnoches, Lycastes, &c., that are approaching their

dormant state--to be accommodated, if possible, with a drier and cooler

atmosphere. All fast-growing plants--such as Clerodendrums, Vincas,

&c.--that require large pots in summer, to be now turned out of their

pots, the soil to be shaken from them, and repotted into the smallest

sized pots that will contain them, without pruning the roots much at

this time.



Climbers.--Some of the most rambling will now want some pruning, more

especially where they obstruct the light in any material degree. The

Combretums, Echites, Ipomsaeas, Mandevillas, late-blooming Passifloras,

Pergularias, Stephanotises, Thunbergias, &c., which are still growing,

to be regulated with a more gentle hand, cutting out but little more

than barren shoots, and drawing the remainder into somewhat closer

festoons, to allow the more free admission of sunlight into the interior

of the house.





FORCING-HOUSES.



Cucumbers.--The plants for a winter supply of fruit should now be making

progress. Keep the vines thin and use every means to keep up a good

heat, with liberal admissions of air at all favourable opportunities, to

get them strong and vigorous against the winter months. Stop mildew by

dusting the leaves with sulphur.



Mushrooms.--Succession-beds to be made according to previous directions.

Give a good sprinkling to those in bearing, to produce a genial

humidity; and turn the covering material occasionally, to keep them

sweet and free from mouldiness.



Peaches.--When the trees in the early house are pruned, it is advisable

to cover the cuts, when dry, with white lead, to prevent the admission

of air and water to the wound. Wash the trellis, whitewash the flues and

walls, and make every part of the house clean. Dress the trees with a

mixture of soft soap and sulphur in hot water; to be well rubbed in with

a brush or sponge.



Vines.--Continue to look over the ripe Grapes, cutting out any decaying

berries. If the fruit is to be kept for any length of time, and if any

plants, through want of other accommodation, must be kept under the

Vines, they should be watered in the morning, using a little fire heat

in the day, with air, to expel damp before night. Whatever system of

pruning is adopted, whether the long-rod or spur, it is advisable, when

the brown scale is visible, to take off the loose bark, to wash them,

and the wires and rafters, with soft soap dissolved in hot water, using

a hard brush, being careful not to injure the buds; afterwards to apply

hot lime, made to the consistency of thick paint.