small pol, filled with the same compost, lill they are sufficiently 

 grown to occupy each a separate pot; if a small hand glass be 

 placed over each pot it will cause the fibres to grow more rapidly; 

 but if it be long continued, it will draw up and weaken the plants. 

 And in the beginning of May, as soon as the operation of potting is 

 finished, the plants should be placed in an airy, shaded situation, 

 but not under the drip of trees. Here they may remain till Sep- 

 tember or October, when they should be removed into shelter. 



The plants should, in the first favourable weather in February, be 

 divested of their decayed leaves; and by the middle of that month 

 earthing them up; that is, taking away the superficial mould of the 

 pots about an inch deep, and putting in fresh compost, with the 

 addition of a little loam, to give it more tenacity. This contributes 

 greatly to the strength of the plants, and the vigour of their bloom; 

 at the same time it affords a favourable opportunity to separate 

 such offsets as appear to have sufficient fibre to be taken oft' at this 

 early season. The pots with these offsets should be placed in a 

 frame, in a sheltered situation, lill their roots are established. Though 

 frost, unless it be very rigorous, will not destroy the plants, it will 

 injure them, and perhaps spoil the bloom, especially early in the 

 spring; they should therefore be covered with mats in a severe sea- 

 son. When any plant has more than one or two principal stems, it 

 is advisable to pinch off" the smallest and weakest, in order to render 

 the blossoms of that which remains larger and more vigorous. And 

 when the flowers (pips) become turgid and begin to expand, the 

 plants should be selecied from the rest, removing them to a calm 

 shady corner, suspending small hand-glasses over them. 



In this culture the stages for the pots to stand on whilst in bloom 

 should have a northern aspect, and should consist of four or five 

 rows of shelves, rising one above another* the roof being covered 

 with frames of glass; the tallest blowing plants being placed behind, 

 and the shortest in front. The plants must be regularly watered two 

 or three times every week during the blooming season. 



All these plants are highly ornamental; the former in beds and 

 borders, and the latter sorts among curious potted flowering plants. 



