DECEMBER. Si)7 



than at the latter period (preventing perspiration from the surface of the 

 leaves), I am of opinion that the balance is in favour of the autumn. 

 It should be borne in mind, too, that the natural growth of the plant in 

 the spring season acts as a check on the formation of roots, by 

 abstracting sap for forming the new growth, and hence it takes a longer 

 time to produce the same amount of roots during the early growth 

 of the young wood than when, that office performed, the plant has the 

 means to consolidate the growth by depositing the elements of woody 

 matter in the plant's system, and increasing the number of the roots in 

 proportion to supply the wants of the new growth when it takes place. 



Some evergreens are much more difficult to succeed with than others, 

 and are thus kept in pots by the trade ; this is, however, bad practice, 

 and if an annual removal of shy rooting plants were made in the open 

 ground, I see no reason but that success would more certainly follow 

 than from the barbarous practice of cramping plants of this class in pots. 



I have written far beyond what I intended, but I hope my short 

 rationale of planting may help to show some of your readers the reasons 

 why planting does and does not succeed at all seasons. 



Observer. 



BOTTOM HEAT. 



I HAVE read the valuable articles in the Florist on this subject with 

 much interest ; and I perfectly coincide with all that has been advanced 

 upon it. I have always considered bottom heat a subject of the 

 utmost importance with reference to horticulture. When I know that 

 the bottom-heat to my Pines, Melons, Cucumbers, &c., is up to the 

 mark, and that they are properly attended to, as to air and watering, 

 I then feel pretty certain that all is going on right. 



There can be but one opinion as to the advantage of applying bottom 

 heat to all tender fruits, plants, and vegetables. ]\Iy own opinion, 

 respecting the use of hot-water pipes under the borders of all tender 

 fruit trees is, that they would be of the very greatest benefit. And 

 though I cannot confirm this, in the case of fruit trees on walls, from 

 actual experiment, still I consider it sound in theory and practice. 



In the early forcing of Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Figs, Plums, 

 Cherries, &c., the advantage of bottom heat is well known to all 

 experienced gardeners. 



I attribute part of my success in getting good crops of Apricots, &c., 

 every year to the dryness, and, consequently, the warmth of the border, 

 coupled, of course, with proper attention to disbudding and thinning of 

 the shoots in summer ; by these means well ripened wood is secured. 

 The subsoil here is porous, and in addition there is a sunk fence parallel 

 to the Apricot wall, at only 25 feet distance. By these means the border 

 is always dry ; even heavy rains affect it very little. I have often 

 examined the roots in January, February, and ]\Iarch, and I always 

 found the spongelets sound and apparently in full activity ; consequently 

 on the approach of spring, when the buds begin to unfold, they are i eady 



