64 FLORA HISTORTCA. 



and forced into the earth, in their wet state, with a 

 steady hand, but not more than half an inch deep. 

 When a sufficient number for the glass are thus 

 placed regularly at equal distances from each other, 

 and rather more than an inch within the mark de- 

 scribed by the glass, on every side, they are to be 

 very gently watered, in order that the earth may 

 adhere more closely to them, and thereby keep out 

 the air; after this watering, they are to remain 

 open, but not exposed to a hot sun till their leaves 

 become perfectly dry, after which the glass is to be 

 placed over them carefully on the same mark that 

 "was made by it upon the surface of the soil. The 

 bottom edges of the glass are to be forced a little 

 into the earth to prevent the admission of too much 

 air. The soil should be kept regularly moist till 

 they have formed their fibres : but too much mois- 

 ture is as prejudicial as too httle ; and whenever 

 they are watered, the glasses are never to be re- 

 placed over them till their leaves are perfectly dry. 

 The pipings should have a little of the morning 

 sun, but must be shaded from it when die heat 

 becomes considerable ; this will be easily effected 

 by placing mats upon a slight frame of hoops or 

 laths erected over the bed about two feet above it. 



'* The glasses should be occasionally taken off 

 to admit fresh air ; if this material point is neg- 

 lected, the consequence will be a green mossy ap- 



