MARCH] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 323 



In performing this, let each plant intended for shifting be turned 

 out of its present pot with the ball of earth entire ; but let any 

 thickly matted or dry mouldy roots on the outside of the ball be 

 pared off with a sharp knife ; then set them in their new pots, and 

 fill up the spaces with fresh earth. 



Water them immediately after this, set them in their places in the 

 green-house, and they will shoot freely both at the root and top. 



CARE OF GERANIUMS OR PELARGONIUMS. 



Examine the geraniums and other plants of a similar growth ; the 

 young shoots being somewhat succulent, are more liable to injury 

 from the effects of a severe winter, or great damps, than the harder 

 wooded exotics, so that sometimes many of them decay or mould, and 

 which, where they occur, should now be pruned away : likewise pick 

 off all decayed leaves. 



Your geraniums will now show flowers, and it is necessary to give" 

 them plenty of water and as much air as the weather will admit of. 



GIVING FRESH EARTH TO THE POTS OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 



The orange and green-house plants in general, which do not re- 

 quire shifting, should at this time have some fresh earth added to 

 the tops of their pots or tubs ; it will encourage the plants greatly, 

 and it is soon done. 



First loosen the old earth in the tops of the tubs or pots, quite to 

 the surface of the roots, but so as not to disturb them, and loosen it 

 also down round the sides a little way, then take out the loose earth 

 and fill up the pots with some that is new, and give them a moderate 

 watering. 



SOW SEEDS OF GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS, ETC. 



A hot-bed may be made the beginning of this month to sow the 

 seeds of tender plants, either of the green-house or stove kinds. The 

 bed should be made either of hot dung, or fresh tanners' bark, and 

 covered with frames and glasses ; or if made of hot dung, lay eight, 

 ten, or twelve inches of tan-bark at top, either new or old, both in 

 which to plunge the pots, &c., and to continue longer a regular heat. 



The seeds should be sown in pots of light earth, and these plunged 

 to their rims in the tan, and moderately watered at times, as you see 

 occasion. 



Where tan cannot be obtained readily, make the bed of hot dung, 

 three feet high, set a frame on, and when the burning heat is over, 

 lay on four or five inches depth of earth, then fill some middling 

 small pots with fine light mould, sow the seeds therein, and cover 

 them lightly with sifted earth, then plunge the pots in the earth on 

 the bed, and put on the glasses. 



Let the pots in general be frequently sprinkled with water, and 

 when the plants appear, give them fresh air, by raising the glasses 

 behind a little way. Observe to keep up the heat of the bed, by 



