150 HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING, ETC. [May. 



lure ; it is with pleasure that we recommend a few of the 

 grand aud the novel, which are faithfully described in the 

 general list given next month. The bottom of every pot 

 must be covered with an inch of pot-shreds, or rough gravel 

 for drainage. 



MAY. 



Very few directions for this department remain to be given ; 

 except for shifting plants, aud a few observations on those 

 that are most desirable for the hot-house; which we will do in 

 this month, considering May and June the best months of the 

 year for that operation. 



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

 wie 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 fee 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. Continue 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. Absorption among hot- 

 house plants is as great during this month as in any period of 

 the year. 



OF REPOTTING PLANTS, ETC. 



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 sufficiency 



