190 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



the hands. Any soil naturally retentive, or that inclines to become close, is 

 always objectionable for these, and, in short, all hair-rooted plants. Plants 

 on their first removal alter striking are put into 60 sized pots in the above 

 soil, being very particular in putting no less than two inches of good drain- 

 age (potsherds) at the bottom of each ; they are afterwards removed Ut the 

 propagating house, being first gently watered with a fine rose ; here the 

 atmosphere is congenial to them in this state, and<will consequently cause 

 the roots to push, and prepare thein for a removal into an atmosphere more 

 suited to their constitution, which should take place in about a week, as the 

 young shoots will have taken hold of the new soil. 



The next situation sought for them is a pit or frame (any aspect, where 

 they can be placed near the glass, and be shaded from the hot sun: during 

 fine weather air should be admitted freely, and the plants carefully though suf- 

 ficiently watered every evening. They are finally placed in the greenhouse 

 as near the glass as possible ; but if avoidable never place them opposite 

 the ventilator when the air is admitted, this will prove injurious to them as 

 the house will require to be freely ventilated; if the air is admitted from 

 the roof, they cannot sustain any injury. The house should be shut up in 

 the evening. As these plants suffer from over-potting, it is necessary here 

 to caution against so dangerous a practice. 



Potting is in general looked upon as of minor importance, but the truth is, 

 a badly potted plant, however healthy when shifted, never thrives. It is 

 instructive to turn out the balls of several recently potted plants, and observe 

 where the soil is loose or in holes, how it affects their growth ; where the 

 soil is compact, and properly put about the roots, the plant will grow freely 

 and root well ; but, on the other hand, if the soil is put in loose, or left in 

 holes, the plant never properly thrives, but languishes, and ultimately dies 

 if allowed to remain in that state ; it is therefore necessary to place the 

 soil compactly and properly about the roots when potting, never forgetting 

 to effectually drain every pot as before directed. 



The propagation of these plants is a difficulty which every gardener 

 aknowledges and experiences, but even this becomes comparatively easy when 

 steadily and attentively followed up. The few following hints will be useful. 



The cuttings should be taken off while the wood is young, and carefully 

 prepared; take off the bottom leaves with a sharp knife, and make a clear 

 cut just through the joint; the cutting pot should be drained and filled to 

 within two inches of the top, with the soil before spoken of, on the top of 

 this put a layer of clean white sand, into which plant the cuttings, making 

 a litte hole for their reception with a small prepared stick ; when the pot is 

 full, give them a steady watering with a fine rose ; after which, place a 

 clean glass over them, In this state they may be removed to the propaga- 

 tirg house, where the temperature should not sink below sixty-five degrees, 

 and plunged into a little saw-dust. They should be effectually shaded 

 from the sun. which can easily be done by placing a sheet of coarse paper 

 between it and the glass inside the houses not as usual onjthe roof outside. 

 The glass should be wiped quite dry every morning, and the cuttings when 

 necessary, carefully watered. 



The object of filling the pot up to within two inches of the top with soil, 

 is to enable the young roots, as soon as they are formed at the bottom of the 

 cuttings, to take off at once into the soil, which greatly strengthens them, 

 and prevents the check w"hich would ensue when potted off, if allowed to 

 form their roots wholly in the sand 



Seeds of many of the species ripen in abundance, and as they in general 

 vegetate freely, plants may be readily increased from them. They may 

 be sown in any light soil, carefully avoiding any among which dung is in- 

 corporated ; placed in a gentle heat, securely shaded from the sun, and ju- 

 diciously watered, they will come up well ; and when four proper leaves are 

 formed they may be potted off in the manner before directed for cuttings. 



Masaztms of Bota.w. 



