MARCH] THE HOT-HOUSE. 325 



on the botanical thermometers, is not necessary, for a little may with 

 much safety be given, although the spirits should not rise higher 

 than 62 of Fahrenheit, or six or eight degrees above temperate. 



It will be necessary to continue a regular degree of heat in the 

 house, as directed last month, by keeping up a fire-heat every even- 

 ing, night, and morning, but more particularly in severe weather; 

 and a constant heat in the bark-bed. As the heat of the weather 

 increases, and the sun becomes powerful, the morning fires, in par- 

 ticular, must be regulated accordingly. 



The fruiting-plants will now generally show fruit; they must, 

 therefore, have very particular care, and not be suffered to want a 

 sufficiency of bottom heat, air, or a reasonable portion of water. 



Examine the bark-bed, and see if there is a proper heat, for upon 

 that depends the success of having handsome and full-sized fruit. 

 The great article is to preserve a free growth in the fruit from their 

 first appearance to the time of their maturity ; this must be done by 

 keeping the bark-bed to a proper degree of heat , that is, it should 

 be quite lively, for a faint heat will not answer the purpose ; there- 

 fore, on examining the bed, if you find it much decreased, let pre- 

 paration be made for its revival as soon as possible. 



Provide for that purpose a quantity of new bark from the tanners 

 the beginning of this month. The middle-sized bark is to be chosen, 

 and such as has been at least a fortnight or three weeks out of the 

 tan-vats. 



The quantity of fresh bark necessary to provide at this time, 

 should be equal to near one-third of what the bark-pit will contain. 

 This, when brought home, if very full of moisture, and but little or 

 no heat, should be thrown up in a heap to remain eight or ten days, 

 to drain and prepare for fermentation. But if very wet, it should be 

 first spread thin in an open, sunny place for two or three days to 

 dry, and then be thrown in a heap. 



When your bark is ready, and the bark-pit is declined in heat, 

 the latter end of this month, or earlier if necessary, proceed to fork 

 up and renew it as directed in page 185, and immediately replunge 

 the pots. The whole of this work should be begun and finished the 

 same day if possible. 



The heat of the old bark, not being quite exhausted, will cause the 

 new immediately to ferment, and if well proportioned and mixed, 

 and it is done towards the end of the month, it will retain a kindly 

 growing heat till the fruit is ripe. (For further particulars, see Janu- 

 ary and February.} 



SUCCESSION PINES.* 



As the length ""of the day and power of the sun increase, these 

 plants will begin to grow freely, and from this time it will be neces- 



* The best cultivators now dispense with succession stocks altogether. 

 The under part of the bed is heated by hot- water pipes, the plants twined 

 into the bed, and a good sucker allowed to take the place of the one fruited 

 In this way a crop is annually secured from the same bed. 



