CHAPTER VIII. 



TIME TO PUT CUTTINGS IN THE SAND-BED. QUANTITY 



OF HEAT REQUIRED. THE AMOUNT OF KNOWL- 

 EDGE REQUISITE TO GROW THEM. CLEANLINESS 



OF BED, &C. 



PLACE the cuttings in the sand during the month of 

 November, about one inch apart. For the first six weeks, 

 keep both house and cutting bed cool, at forty-five de- 

 grees ; during the time that the cuttings are kept at this 

 low temperature, it is not probable that they will require 

 watering oftener than twice a week. I cannot give any 

 stated rule for watering ; watch the sand-bed, and do not 

 allow it to become in the least dry. 



During the six weeks that the house is kept at this low 

 temperature, the cuttings will need to be syringed three 

 times a week. At the end of the sixth week, give them 

 gentle bottom heat, with but little top heat, or, using plain 

 terms, feet warm and head cool. Keep the cuttings at 

 the temperature of fifty-five degrees until March. Dur- 

 ing this time they will need more water than when the 

 temperature was low. After the month of March, grad- 

 ually take all artificial heat from them. 



In watering, have the sand-bed wet thoroughly to the 

 bottom. A few pieces of broken pots, oyster shells, &c., 

 would be advisable to use, as drainage, in the bottom of 

 the bench or box. 



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