200 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



used in a rather dry state. The loam must be used in a lumpy state, 

 and pressed rather firm into the pots. At the same time as the 

 plants are repotted, turn over and renovate the beds as required. 

 If tan is used it will require sifting and the fine stuff removed. la 

 adding new tan, put it at the bottom of the bed, and cover with 

 the old portion remaining in which to plunge the pots. There will 

 then be little danger of the roots being injured by an excessive heat. 

 If any other material is employed it should be turned over at the 

 times stated, and moistened if required, for when it becomes dry the 

 beat from the pipes will not pass through it. 



Pines must not have very liberal supplies of water at the roots, 

 but the soil during the growing season should be maintained in a 

 Bice moist condition ; at other times, just moist, excepting ])lants in 

 fruit, and they will require rather liberal supplies at all times. 

 Extremes are very injurious; ibr example, if they are kept too wet 

 the roots will perish, and if too dry they will be thrown into fruit 

 prematurely. Moderate syringing during hot weather is beneficial, 

 but an excessive use of the syringe is injurious. It should, in I'act, 

 be only used by the amateur iu May, June, July, and a part of 

 August. During the remaining part of the year sufiicient atmos- 

 pheric moisture can be maintained by pouring water upon the paths 

 and walls. In March and April the base of the plants and the 

 surfiice of the beds and pots can be syringed lightly after a hot day. 



The temperature of the bouse should range from 65" to 70° 

 during November, December, January, and February ; from G8° to 

 75*^ in March, April, September, and October ; and in May, June, 

 July, and August, from 75*^ to 80°. The night temperature should 

 be five degrees lower, and in bright weather the thermometer may 

 be allowed to rise from five to ten degrees higher than above stated, 

 according to the season. The bottom-heat should be 75*-* from 

 October to March, and during the remaining portion of the year 80^ 

 to 85*^. The division set apart for the succession plants should be five 

 degrees lower at all times than the remaining portion. This remark 

 applies to both top and bottom heat. 



BILBEEGIAS. 



PILBEEGIAS are well adapted to the requirements of 

 amateurs who possess the convenience of a plant stove. 

 They occupy comparatively little room even when full 

 grown, and can moreover be successfully cultivated 

 without special skill, or any very great difficulties. As 

 they consort well with the Tillandsias, Vriesias, and other brome- 

 liaceous plants, they succeed admirably in the pine pit, as the tem- 

 perature, atmospheric humidity, and other conditions most favour- 

 able for the production of fruit of large size and fine quality, are 

 the most conducive to a healthy development of foliage, and the 

 production of large highly coloured flower-spikes. When grown in 

 the plant stove in company with the general collection, they should 



