150 HOT-HOUSE OT REPOTTING, &C. \_Ma\). 



The days and nights will be very mild by this time, and 

 the sashes in every favourable day should be opened, both 

 in front and top, so that the plants may be inured to the 

 open air, which they will be exposed to by the end of the 

 month. Leave 'in the beginning of the month the top 

 sashes a little open every mild night, and gradually, as the 

 heat increases, leave -the front sashes and doors open. Con- 

 tinue to syringe them at least every alternate night, and, if 

 possible, every night; and give them all, according to their 

 respective wants, liberal supplies of water every day. Ab- 

 sorption among hot-house plants is as great during this 

 month as in any period of the year. 



OF REPOTTING PLANTS, &c. 



It is our candid opinion that this and next month are the 

 best periods for shifting or repotting all or most of hot-house 

 plants ; the end of August being the time always adopted 

 around Philadelphia for that' operation, (and then they are 

 done indiscriminately). We will assign a few reasons for 

 our practice. 



First, that it is not congenial to the nature of these plants 

 to have their roots surrounded with fresh soil when they 

 are becoming inactive ; secondly, that there is not a suffi- 

 ciency of heat naturally to quicken them to an active state 

 when ' they are encouraged ; and, thirdly, being thus in 

 new soil while dormant* they have a yellow and sickly 

 aspect until they begin to grow ; and the foliage, thus de- 

 prived of its natural vigour, will not appear so healthful 

 again : whereas, if they are shifted or repotted in this or 

 next month, at which season they are between two stages 

 of- growth, they immediately, on receiving fresh assistance, 

 and by the increasing heat of the summer, make new 

 growths, are perfectly ripened before the approach of 

 winter, and never lose that vernal appearance they have 

 attained. These are our reasons, acquired from a close 

 practice and observation, and are- not influenced by the 

 doings of others which are so much aside. No practical 

 operator especially, nor, in fact, any individual, ought to be 

 governed by custom in regard to the treatment of plants, 

 without having an idea as to why and wherefore, founded 



