22 INTRODUCTION. 



kept thoroiiglily dry during their resting season. 

 This, I am of opinion, is not borne out by experi- 

 ence, for after ^upwards of nine years of practice 

 and study on this particular point, I find that they 

 require a low temperature (50 ), and sufficient 

 water given them to keep their bulbs or stems 

 from shrivelling. The practice of drying so 

 thoroughly I am persuaded is very injurious to 

 them, for they, about that period, requirfe to be 

 kept as sound as possible, to cause them to pro- 

 duce their flowers with sufficient strength. 



Air and water. Of the first, sufficient 

 should be admitted to prevent mouldiness and 

 rotting ; and of the latter, so much as will secure 

 a constantly moist, and genial atmosphere ; this is 

 to be applied not solely by watering, but also by 

 steaming, which may be done by pouring water 

 on the hot pipes or flues which heat the house, 

 until the plants are moistened over : it is of great 

 advantage to them, either during their resting or 

 growing season ; for the first, once or twice a 

 week will be sufficient in moderate quantities, 

 and for the latter, a little every day towards 

 evening as they then receive the greater quantity 

 of moisture when in their natural state; but under 

 artificial treatment, the quantity must be regu- 

 lated by the heat employed, reducing the one 

 with the other. 



