321 THE HOT-HOUSE. [MARCH 



applying a lining of fresh hot dung, when it declines much, and pro- 

 tect them occasionally from the too powerful influence of the mid- 

 day sun. 



SOWING KERNELS OF ORANGES FOR STOCKS. 



Now is the time to sow the kernels of oranges and lemons, in order 

 to raise stocks to bud any of those kinds of trees upon. 



The best method of sowing these kernels is this : fill some middle- 

 sized pots with very good earth, sow the kernels in the pots, and 

 cover them half an inch deep with earth, then plunge the pots into 

 a hot-bed, and let them be frequently watered. (See the Green-house, 

 next month.) 



PROPAGATING BY CUTTINGS, LAYERS, ETC. 



Propagate by cuttings and slips, various shrubby green-house plants, 

 as myrtles, geraniums, fuchsias, oleanders, hydrangeas, jasmines, coro- 

 nillas, justicias, &c. The. young shoots planted in pots and placed in 

 a hot-bed, will soon strike ^oot and grow freely; or where there is 

 the convenience of bark-beds, either in a hot-house, or under any 

 glass frames, &c., these, and many other sorts, if plunged therein, 

 may be struck very expeditiously \ or, if at the same time, some are 

 covered with a hand-glass, it will still more expedite their rooting, 

 giving proper waterings. 



Likewise propagate shrubby kinds by layers, and also different 

 sorts by suckers, &c. 



THE HOT-HOUSE. 



FRUITING PINES. 



It is on a due proportion of air admitted into the hot-house that 

 the goodness of the pine plants in a great measure depends. The 

 want of it will cause them to grow with long leaves and weak stems, 

 which plants never produce good fruit. 



On the other hand, air admitted in too great a quantity, or at im- 

 proper times, will injure the plants, and cause them to grow yellow 

 and sickly. 



In the depth of winter, during the time that the plants are nearly 

 in a state of inaction, the hot-house will require but very little air ; 

 yet it will absolutely be necessary to take every favorable oppor- 

 tunity to let out the foul air and admit fresh, when it can be done 

 with safety to the plants ; the letting down the glasses a little way, 

 even for &few minutes, in the middle of the day, is of more import- 

 ance than inexperienced persons can conceive, especially when there 

 is a little sun and a mild wind. But at this season, particularly in 

 the advanced part of the month, to have regard to the words give air 



