MARCH] FLOWER GARDEN. GREEN-HOUSE. 321 



the earth in which the roots are growing is constantly much colder 

 than the atmosphere, instead of warmer. 



It is to the coldness of the earth that must be ascribed the common 

 circumstance of vines that are forced early, not setting their fruit 

 well when their roots are in the external border, and unprotected by 

 artificial means ; and to the same cause is often ascribed the shank- 

 ing or shrivelling of grapes, which most commonly happens to vines 

 whose roots are in a cold or unsunned border. 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



The green-house plants should now have plenty of air admitted to 

 them at all favorable opportunities, particularly as the weather gets 

 warm towards the latter end of the month, but due attention must 

 be paid, in any sudden changes, which are very frequent at this 

 season, to preserve them from cold, cutting, or frosty winds ; during 

 the prevalence of which, the windows, &c. should be kept close, for 

 such weather would ruin some of the tender kinds, and would be of 

 bad consequence to all. It need hardly be said that the windows 

 and doors must be kept close every night, and should imperious ne- 

 cessity require it, in the early part of the month, the flues heated at 

 night to counteract the power of severe frosts. 



Look over the tubs or pots every day, and see where water is want- 

 ing, and let such as require it be supplied therewith, taking care to 

 use moderation in that case. Water will be serviceable to most of 

 the plants, but especially to all the woody kinds, which will now re- 

 quire more frequent refreshments, if fine mild weather, but always 

 in moderate quantities j and be still careful, on the whole, not to give 

 too much water at a time, for that would prove the destruction of 

 many kinds, and would be prejudicial to the plants in general, espe- 

 cially if a cold season, and while they are confined in the green- 

 house. 



Keep every plant in the house free from decayed leaves ; that is, 

 where such appear let them be immediately picked off; for these, if 

 generally permitted to remain would injure the plants ; besides, they 

 appear disagreeable. 



Any decayed or mouldy shoots should be cut clean off to the firm 

 live wood, and where dust or any sort of filth appears on the leaves 

 of the plants, let them be cleared therefrom : if those of the oranges, 

 lemons, and other large-leaved kinds, are foul, have a sponge dipped 

 in water and clean them therewith, one by one, and let the small- 

 leaved sorts be cleaned by a brisk syringing all over their heads. 



ORANGES, LEMONS, AND MYRTLES. 



Where any of the oranges, lemons, and myrtles, &c., have naked 

 or irregular heads, you may now towards the latter end of the month, 

 if mild fine weather, begin to reduce them to some regularity. The 

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