683 THK OAROIN decorative plants for January are agathaea coelestis (blue marguerite), cinerarias, and relays of the winter-flowering carnation. Libonia floribunda, which can be propa- gated by cuttings at about 60° in the spring, bears pretty tube-shaped flowers in winter of an orange-red colour. The plants should be pinched occasionally while growing on. Kalanchoe carnea is another succulent plant for winter flowering, with wax-like pink flowers which last Well in a rather dry atmosphere. Echeveria retusa and bouvar- dias can be grown on in rather less heat. The Vegetable Garden There will still be outdoor Work in the shape of digging and trenching, whenever the ground is free from hard frost. Horseradish may be planted in mild weather. This is one of the easiest subjects to increase, it being only necessary to cut a root into small strips and plant them. Protect celery with strawy litter in hard frost, and broccoli by turning in. Peas and beans may be sown in a frame, but outdoor somng should not be attempted except where the soil is very dry and warm. Potatoes may be planted out in frames. Some batches of seed potatoes can be started in shallow boxes of soil in a shed, standing them on end with their eyes point- ing upwards. Forced Vegetables Asparagus can be brought on if planted under a greenhouse bench, or it may be forced in a hot-bed with plenty of manure, at a temperature of 75°. Seakale should be blanched by placing straw or pots over the croWns out-of-doors. Rhubarb may be brought forward in the same fashion. French beans can be planted in pots in the vinery or pine-stove. Sow seeds of cucumbers and melons. Mushroom beds may now be made up. Chicory and dandelion roots for salad should be put in the mushroom house to blanch. Mint, chervil and tarragon may be potted up and placed in heat. Mustard and cress can be sown Whenever required. Sowing in a Hot-bed Seeds of cauliflower, lettuce, radish, and carrot may now be sown in a gentle hot- bed. Onions in a good variety (Ailsa Craig for choice) should be sown in a hot-bed, and the seedlings afterwards pricked off and kept near the glass in a house or frame with plentv of air, as soon as established. These should be fit for transplanting to the open ground in April. Onions which are in store should be looked over and new growth checked by breaking off the sprouts. The Fruit Garden Young trees may be planted in open weather, but it is best to protect them with straw or bracken afterwards. New planta- tions can be made of bush fruits and rasp- berries. The growth of orchard trees should be regulated, and the branches thinned where too thick. Pruning and Spraying Continue any unfinished pruning, shorten- ing the branches of apples, pears, etc., to not more than two eyes, leaving four or five to the leaders. Dust gooseberries with lime or .soot, and spray With soaparite any fruit-trees affected with American blight. Mossy trunks and branches should be washed with lime, or with sodash. The latter is made by dissolv- ing 5 lb. of caustic soda in just sufficient water for the purpose, dissolving 5 lb. of pearlash separately, and mixing the two together, adding enough tepid water to make up to 50 gallons. Gloves should be worn while syringing with this compound. Vines and Pines Many people grow only one crop of grapes, but if an early supply is needed in June, the vine should be started this month. The minimum temperature may begin with 50°, rising naturally each day. All surplus shoots should be removed, leaving finally one shoot to a spur. llie inside borders must be moist, and the house should be syringed or damped down with a can at closing-time. Air will be given on fine mornings, but the house must be closed early in the afternoon. Pines. — Where these are grown, the plants intended for fruiting must be started, the temperature being kept at 60° to 65°. Keep the plants rather dry at the roots. See that the glass of the pinery is clean, so as to give all the light possible. Figs, Peaches, and Strawberries Figs. — These should be cleaned and pruned, and those re-potted which require it, but in re-j)otting, the roots of large plants may be reduced a little in order to make room for fresh soil. Peaches. — For fruiting in June, close the house early in the month, and start the trees quietly now. Moisten the borders with tepid manure-water. Until the buds move, the night temperature should not exceed 45°. Strawberries. — Batches of these may now be started at a temperature of 45 , keeping the plants close to the glass. This should not be much raised by fire-heat until the plants begin to show for flover. An increase of five or ten degrees may then be given. Admit air as much as possible, however, so long as draughts can be excluded and the temperature not allowed to fall below 50®, when the actual flowering time arrives. An insect Pest Red spider is one of the greatest enemies to forced strawberries, playing havoc with the foliage. This pest must be kept in check by frequent syringings.
