186 THE HOT-HOUSE. [FEB. 



begin at one end, and open a kind of trench, by taking out some of 

 the bark and carrying it to the other; this done, begin at said trench, 

 and with a fork, dig and work up the bark quite to the bottom, taking 

 care to break the cakes or lumps ; mix all the parts well together, 

 and fill up at last with that taken out of the first opening. Having 

 finished, let the top be made level, and immediately plunge the pots 

 again to their rims as before. This work is so very necessary that 

 it should not on any consideration be omitted at the time above men- 

 tioned ', that is to say, if the bark has much declined in its heat. 



The bed being thus treated, it will soon renew its heat, and retain 

 the same well for six weeks or thereabouts. 



At the expiration of that period, or some time in March or begin- 

 ning of April, the bark will require to be stirred up again, and re- 

 freshed with about one-third, or at least one-fourth part of new tan ; 

 after this it will retain a proper degree of heat till the fruit is ripe. 

 (See March and April.) 



The bark-bed wherein the succession pine-plants are plunged, should 

 also be examined now with good attention ; and if the heat is found 

 to be much decreased, the bed should be treated in the manner above 

 directed. 



WATERING THE PINES. 



The fruiting pine-apple plants should now have moderate refresh- 

 ments of water, provided there be a good heat in the bark-bed : and 

 when there is a proper degree of that and moderate moisture to- 

 gether, it will make the young fruit swell very fast. 



But in watering these plants, be careful to give it moderately at 

 each time. The rule is this : let the earth in the pots which contain 

 the plants, be kept just a little moist in a middling degree; and if 

 this is observed, the plants and fruit will thrive. 



The succession pine-plants, that is, those which are to fruit next 

 year, must also be refreshed now and then with water ; in watering 

 these, let the same rule be observed as just mentioned above. 



Remember also to give water at times to the younger succession 

 pines, consisting of the last year's crowns and suckers. 



In watering the pine-plants in general, you should still be cautious 

 to let none of it, or but as little as possible, fall into the centre of 

 the plants, where, being apt to lodge, it would prove detrimental, in 

 some degree, to these exotics at this season. 



OP THE VARIOUS KINDS OF PLANTS IN THE HOT-HOUSE. 



In some hot-houses there are kept many other sorts of curious ex- 

 otics, besides the pines, both of the succulent and woody kinds, &c., 

 and as they are all tender, being from the hottest parts of the world, 

 the same degrees of heat as recommended for the pine, will, gene- 

 rally speaking, be suitable for them ; however, there are some of those 

 which, to do them the greatest possible justice, require a somewhat 

 greater degree of heat than the pine-apple, and others not quite so 

 much; therefore, when there is the convenience of different apart- 



