58 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



the pots plunged therein immediately. The hot- 

 house should be kept pretty warm till the heat of 

 the tan begins to arise, as it will be the means of 

 causing the plants to strike both sooner and 

 stronger. As soon as the heat of the bed begins 

 to arise, it will be proper to give the plants a 

 sprinkling of water over their leaves ; and as soon 

 as they are perceived to grow, they will require a 

 little water once a week for a short time, and after- 

 wards twice a week till the next time of shifting 

 them in their pots. 



During the summer months give the plants 

 plenty of air whenever the weather is warm, and 

 water properly, as has been described : let the pots 

 be kept in a regular constant heat, and clean from 

 weeds ; but above all, avoid an over-heat of the 

 tan. Some persons plunge a thermometer in the 

 tan, with the ball of its tube as deep as the bottom 

 of the Pine-pots ; and by repeated observations, a 

 point is fixed for the spirits in the part of the tube 

 above the surface of the tan, to show when the 

 pots should be raised. Whether the above, or the 

 putting watch-sticks in the tan (which is the most 

 common method) is practised, too much attention 

 cannot be had whenever there is the appearance 

 of too violent a heat in the tan. 



If the above directions are strictly attended to, 

 the plants will be grown to a large size by the be- 

 ginning of August y when they should be shifted 

 into the largest-sized fruiting-pots, with their roots 

 and balls entire. 



