94 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



the brim, especially of the smaller pots. If the 

 pots be placed at the clear distance of three or 

 four inches from each other, according to the sizes 

 of the plants, they will have sufficient room to grow 

 till next shifting." 



The temperature of the nursing-pit in January 

 with fire heat, he keeps as near as possible to 65 

 mornings and evenings ; and in sunshine, on good 

 days, it may be allowed to rise to about JO. In 

 March from 70 to 80 ; and after newly potting 

 and plunging, unstruct crowns and suckers to 

 80 or 85. 



To save fuel, he covers up the Pine pits when 

 fires are used, every evening after sunset, either 

 with double mats, or with a thick canvas cover, 

 mounted on rollers. This cover he removes by 

 sun-rise in the morning, unless the weather be very 

 severe ; in which case he leaves it on during the 

 day. By the judicious use of this cover, he finds 

 " a considerable deal of fuel may be saved." 



As to water, he says, " nurse plants require very 

 little, perhaps once in eight or ten days, or even 

 at greater intervals, if the weather be moist and 

 hazy. It is safer, in winter, to give too little, ra- 

 ther than too much water to Pine-plants ; nor 

 should they be watered over head at this season. 

 They should be watered in the forenoon of a sunny 

 day, at this time of the year, in order that any 

 water spilt on the bark, or in the hearts of the 

 plants, may be exhaled by the heat of the sun, and 

 by an extra quantity of air purposely admitted. 



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