ON EXOTIC PLANTS. 173 



Indeed there are some seeds, which absolutely require to be kept for 

 that terra before they will vegetate ; whereby it becomes necessary 

 to examine with care when removing them to the greenhouse, what- 

 ever pots have not by that time shown any signs of vegetation, and 

 those which are found alive must be saved, and treated in the same 

 manner as fresh sown seeds, those which have failed should be emp- 

 tied, and taken to their place at once. 



The pots set in the house will require nearly the same treatment 

 as usual, viz. ; to be kept perfectly clear from weeds, and regularly 

 watered. Water should now be given in the morning only, as any 

 damps it may occasion, will have time sufficient to evaporate in 

 course of the ensuing day ; whereas, if given in the evening, it causes 

 a dullness about their tender leaves, and from the necessary close- 

 ness of the house at night, not having free exhalation, it may do a 

 material injury ; not only to the seedlings themselves, but likewise 

 to the adjacent plants by tending to increase the general damp of the 

 house. 



When first housed, if the weather prove clear, they must be shaded 

 for two or three hours at mid-day ; but this practice must not be fol- 

 lowed too closely, as the influence of the sun is but seldom too power- 

 ful for them at this season, and during the winter months, the more 

 sun they receive the better : it is also necessary to be particular in 

 observing that no slugs, snails, or any other insect, harbour about 

 them, as before mentioned ; otherwise, they may perhaps destroy all 

 the hopes of the season, in one night ; which is to them, as well as 

 to most other insects, and animals of prey, a convenient time for their 

 depredations. 



By a careful attention to the above rules, adapting them as place, 

 time, or circumstance will permit, one may expect in the ensuing 

 spring, to see their remaining seeds of last season's sowing, begin to 

 vegetate very fast ; that is, such of them as still have the germ of life 

 sound, which can at any time be easily ascertained. They will, when 

 grown to a proper size, require to be parted, and potted separately 

 in the manner I have before directed; but as it is there noticed, they 

 must not be permitted to grow too large before this operation is per- 

 formed, on account of the roots being liable to interweave with each 

 other, and by that means render it more difficult to be well executed; 

 besides, it may be injurious in another manner, by occasioning the 

 plants unavoidably to harbour damps, slugs, &c, the evil tendency of 

 which has been already, I presume, sufficiently explained. 



There is one thing necessary to be remarked before I have done 

 with this article, which is, that those seeds received from New South 



