Balsams.--Give them a good watering when they show indications of
drooping; but be cautious in watering when the least stagnation appears,
as saturation will be death to them.
Bulbs.--Pot Hyacinths and other such bulbs for forcing. When potted, to
be placed in a dry, cool situation, as advised in the early part of the
month, and covered with some porous material--such as coal ashes, old
spent tanner's bark, coarse sand, or any other material that will serve
to keep the roots not only cool and un-acted on by atmospheric changes,
but which, from being moderately damp, will not abstract moisture from
the roots, but keep them uniformly and evenly moistened. The Cape bulbs,
if obtained now, may be had in flower at various periods throughout the
winter and early spring. _Amaryllis Johnsoni_, _vittata_, and many
other varieties, are splendid. Ornithogalum, both the white and
orange-flowered species, the free-growing species of Ixia, and the
varieties of _Sparaxis tricolor_, are desirable plants that may be
easily bloomed by gentle forcing.
Calceolarias (Herbaceous).--Pot off seedlings into small pots, and keep
them close in a frame for some days. Put in cuttings of the best kinds;
they will strike readily in a common frame.
Chrysanthemums.--They should now be stopped for the last time, to
produce a late succession of bloom.
Climbers.--Be careful to train the shoots, that the trellis or stakes
may be furnished and clothed with foliage and flowers from the rim of
the pot upwards.
Fuchsias.--To have a late bloom, cut back about half of the young wood,
trimming the plants to handsome shapes. If placed or plunged in a little
bottom heat they will break again, and continue blooming till Christmas.
Lilium lancifolium.--Supply them cautiously with water, as advised for
Balsams, and shade the flowers from bright sunshine, to prolong their
beauty. When they have done blooming, to be removed to the foot of a
south wall or fence to ripen their growth. Water to be given sparingly
until their tops show signs of decay, when they may be laid on
their sides till potting time. The same treatment is recommended for
_Gladioli_ and plants of like habit.