916 PRACTICE OF GARDENING. Part IIL 



also to scrape off any moss, &c. that may have grown on the surface of the mould, and to renew it with a 

 little fresh loam ; this contributes much to their good appearance, if neatly executed. 



6641. Fire-heat. Very little fire-heat seems to be requisite for the preservation of green-house plants 

 in this climate ; in fact, the less it is found necessary to use the better. Except in the case of damp, as 

 before mentioned, it need not be used till the frost be so severe as to lower the thermometer several de- 

 grees below 48°, and then merely sufficient to raise it again to that point. If this can be done without the 

 assistance of fire, so much the better ; for which purpose, bass mats may be used along the lower parts of 

 the house, where they can be conveniently fastened : these will be of infinite service, even when fire is 

 used, as less of that element will suffice ; but they should be always taken off in the day to admit the light, 

 unless the weather happens to be particularly severe. It may be also proper to remark, that the more dry 

 the mould in the pots is kept at this season the better, as it will be less liable to attract the frost ; there- 

 fore, water must be used very sparingly, and only to such as are in actual want of it. Sometimes, in the 

 depth of winter, there is a succession of very clear weather for several days together, wherein warm sunny 

 days succeed the coldest frost, and nights in which fires have been absolutely necessary ; in this case, it 

 will be requisite to give all the air possible in the day, (unless strong harsh winds, or other occasional pre- 

 ventives, happen to prevail,) observing to shut the windows up close early in the afternoon, so as to 

 include part of the natural heat of the atmosphere within the house. Such weather renders an increase 

 of water necessary, especially over the entrance of the flues, where the fires have the greatest force. It 

 should be administered in the morning, and ought to be kept in the house all night, to expel any frosty 

 particles it may have imbibed, and render it nearly equal to the temperature of the air of the house. But 

 unless water becomes actually necessarv by the action of the fire, or the extreme drought of the season, (a 

 circumstance not much to be dreaded in our climate at this time of the year,) the less water used the bet- 

 ter; fcr though the plants in general like to be kept pretty moist in the summer, there is hardly any thing 

 more pernicious to them now than an extreme of moisture. 



6642. Winter and sjrring treatment, insects, &c. During the months of January and 

 February, and, indeed, all through the winter and early spring, on account of the neces- 

 sary closeness of these departments, it may be expected to see a few dead or yellow leaves 

 on the plants ; these, together with the dead flowers, and whatever damps may occasion- 

 ally appear, should be picked off as soon as discovered. 



6643. The mildew and green fly will also be paying frequent visits at this season; particularly on the 

 young shoots of heaths, and such like tender-leaved plants. The best remedy for the first of these is, to 

 procure about equal proportions of sulphur and roach-lime, slacked and finely sifted, the quantity accord- 

 ing to the number of plants infected, to be used in the following manner : As soon as the least symptom of 

 this disease is perceived, (for the sooner it is stopped the better,) which makes its appearance like a whitish 

 down around the tops of the tender shoots, or a species of fungus on the back, or under part of the leaves, 

 provide a vessel full of clear water, large enough toimmerge the plant in, exclusive of the pot, which must 

 be held in an inverted position, with the hand placed so as to prevent the mould falling out ; in this man- 

 ner, plunge the plant into the water, and while it is wet, holding it in the same position, let another apply 

 the'above preparation with a powder-puff, or some such machine, in such a manner, that every part of the 

 plant may be perfectly covered : one dressing in this way will, in general, be found sufficient. The plants 

 should afterwards be taken to the reserve-department, or placed in some dry airy part of the house, not 

 conspicuous, until it recovers its verdure. , 



6644. As to the fly, fumigation with tobacco will be found adequate to its destruction ; strictly observing 

 ro perform it at the proper season, that is, when the air is perfectly calm, and if close foggy weather, so 

 much the better ; every aperture should also be stopped, so as to exclude the external air as much as 



6645 Towards the end of winter, the plants should be regularly examined, and cleaned from any filth 

 thev may have acquired during that dreary season ; such as moss on the surface of the pots, and leaves that 

 have dropped thereon ; also any plants that may have grown into a loose habit should be tied up. The 

 platforms or stages should be clean brushed, whilst the plants are removed, and any worms that may have 

 harbored in the pots dislodged, by turning them upside down, and lifting them carefully off without break- 

 ing the ball of roots, at the bottom or sides of which they are generally to be found. It is easily known 

 when thev are in the pots, by their casts on the surface. Indeed, this is a thing that should be attended 

 to at every season of the year, as they are to be observed more or less at all times, and considerably disor- 

 ganise the economv of the pot, when suffered to persevere. . 



6646 As the spring advances, it will be found necessarv and convenient to admit a more tree circulation 

 of fresh air, and on account of the increasing drought and heat of the season, water must be given more 

 plentifully ; but the houses must not yet be left open at night, particularly the top-lights, as the weather is 

 in general so very changeable at this season, that it frequently happens, although the evening may appear 

 mild and serene,"the morning ushers in with a severe frost, which, if admitted to the plants, would mate- 

 rially injure them ; and perhaps at once render all the winter's care and attention abortive. Until about 

 the middle or end of May, the weather seldom becomes in any degree settled ; but at that season we may 

 venture to expose the plants both dav and night to all the vicissitudes of the weather, should it continue 

 in any degree moderate. Being thus 'treated, they will require a considerable increase of water, which mav 

 now be copiously given to them, particularly the more free-growing kinds ; but let the following be observed 

 as a general maxim not to be departed from ; that it is necessary to the health of plants, especially the ten- 

 derer species, to be permitted to become moderately dry before they are again watered ; because, when kept 

 in a continual wet state, the mould becomes entirely destitute of that active quality so indispensably neces- 

 sary to vegetation ; and the plant, in consequence, will assume a very unhealthy appearance, which many 

 might perhaps not attribute to the proper cause. {Exotic Gard. 130.) 



6647. Treatment of green-house plants in a conservatory. This should resemble the 

 treatment of plants in pots, as far as the difference of circumstances will permit. The 

 plants in the conservatory cannot be set out in the open garden ; but the roof can be re- 

 moved to produce the same effect, and should be done about the same time. Instead of 

 shifting, the soil can be refreshed by manure and top-dressings, or it may be entirely 

 renewed ; and pruning, training, and attention to cleanliness and neatness are alike 

 applicable to both modes of culture. When the green-house plants are housed, the lights 

 or roof of the conservatory should be replaced. The plants, in the meantime, will 

 require as much air as it is possible to admit on all fine days, and in case rain prevents 

 the letting down of the roof-lights, the front ones, if any, should be as open as possible. 

 This is to prevent the plants being drawn into long naked stems, and weak branches, 

 which, from their free habit of growth, they inevitably otherwise would be.^ As the 

 cold of winter increases, which it naturally will do in the months of October, November, 

 and December, a proportionate decrease must be observed in giving either air or water ; 



