INTKODUCTION. IX 



whenever the temperature is as high as thirty- four or 

 five, except it be raining (in which case they must l3e kept on 

 to keep the plants dry), or the wind is veiy keen and nipping. 

 In these cases the sashes should be tilted in such a way as 

 to admit as little of the wet or wind as possible. As the 

 mild spring weather draws on, such plants as these require 

 no protection whatever : at that season they bear oui' climate. 



THE STOVE, FORCING HOUSE, &c. 



The art of forcing is to bring plants out of season; but as 

 we are treating on flowers, and the system is very easily 

 managed, a hint is enough. Always begin with a low tem- 

 perature, such as a greenhouse ; and when the growth has 

 fairly begun, increase until you have given them sixty-five 

 degrees with impunity. If Roses were brought from the air, 

 and placed in a temperature of sixty-five degrees, they would 

 be spoilt ; but bring them into forty degrees, and increase 

 five degrees a week, and they will bloom finely. Rhodo- 

 dendrons, Azaleas, and plants of all kinds may be gra- 

 dually brought to flower early ; and when flowering is done 

 the plants should finish their growth without any check, 

 and then rest in the shade out of doors. Bring them into 

 the house again early : they will force better every year with 

 less heat and greater beauty, but they must be grown as 

 carefully after the bloom is over as they were in forcing, and 

 have plenty of water during the bloom and the subsequent 

 growth. 



POTTING. 



In potting plants always see first to a proper drainage at 

 the bottom. This may be secured by putting broken pots 

 one-fourth of the depth of the pot. In placing the plants in 

 the pots let the roots be free, and spread them round near 

 the surface rather than jam them close together. In shifting 

 plants from one pot to another have plenty of room all round 

 the ball of earth, to insure that the soil that is to be added 

 entirely surrounds the roots. When the spaQe is limited, and 

 the soil cannot go down close and compact, the fibres at the 



