415 THE FORCING GARDEN. [SEPT. 



suddenly change to cold and wet. If the lower part 

 of the shoots be not, by this time, turning brown- 

 ish, then it is advisable to apply a little fire-heat, in 

 order to further the growth of the plants, and the 

 perfection of the wood. 



Some would put this matter off, perhaps another 

 month ; but if the application of fire-heat be at all 

 necessary, less trouble and expense for fuel will at- 

 tend the process of ripening the shoots in Septem- 

 ber than in October. Another consideration is, 

 that, as it were, you take up vegetation on the way, 

 and hand her forward to the end of her journey, 

 instead of allowing her to lag behind, and then for- 

 cibly push her on against her inclinations ; a matter 

 of the very first consideration and importance in 

 every species of horticulture. 



Let very moderate fires be made at first, increas- 

 ing their strength as the season advances, and so as 

 to keep the temperature, mornings and evenings, at 

 about JO"". This should be continued till the growth 

 of the plants begin to stop, and till the part of the 

 leading shoots whereat you would cut (as to be di- 

 rected in November), that is, about six or eight 

 feet upvv'ards, become brownish. 



The portions of air, hitlierto freely admitted, 

 must be lessened by degrees, as the weather turns 

 colder; and so as that, in sunshine, the mercury 

 may not fall below 75°, When the growth of the 

 plants is over^ expose the house day and night, ex- 

 cept in rain. 



Water must also be withheld, as the growth of 

 t^ie plants abate, and somewhat in the proportion- iu 



