418 THE HOT-HOUSE. [MAY 



PINE APPLES. 



The pine apple plants will now require frequent and moderate re- 

 freshments of water, which, during the summer season, should be 

 given late in the afternoon ; let this not be given in too great quan- 

 tities at any one time, for such would not only damp the heat of the 

 bark but also loosen the plants in the pots. 



As the weather increases in heat give air in proportion, both by 

 the front and roof-lights j but especially when the thermometer rises 

 above seventy degrees of Fahrenheit; for that is necessary in order 

 to have large and good fruit. When the weather gets very hot the 

 front lights must be kept open night and day, but the roof-lights 

 should be closed every night, particularly in cloudy weather, to pre- 

 serve the tan-pit from sudden rains, and ought to be opened again 

 early in the morning, especially in warm weather. 



GENERAL CARE OP ALL EXOTICS IN THE HOT-HOUSE. 



Continue also to give plenty of air to the plants in all the hot- 

 house departments ; supply them duly with proper waterings ; and 

 if any want shifting into larger pots, let it be done now as soon as 

 possible, keeping the whole clear from decayed leaves, &c. If casual 

 irregularities occur in the shoots or branches, prune or regulate them 

 as may be required, and cut away any decayed parts ; observing the 

 same general directions as in the two preceding months. 



PROPAGATING THE PLANTS. 



You may still continue to propagate such plants as you desire by 

 cuttings, layers, suckers, and seeds in the manner directed in March 

 and April. 



Any time in this month you may plant cuttings or slips of cac- 

 tuses, euphorbiums, aloes, agaves, sedums, mesembryanthemums, sta- 

 pelias, and other succulent plants, laying them in a dry, shady place 

 a week or ten days, according as they are more or less succulent, 

 before they are planted, that the wounded parts may heal over, 

 otherwise they are subject to imbibe too much moisture and rot. 

 When they are planted they should be placed in the shade or plunged 

 in the tan-pit till newly rooted, giving them a little water as neces- 

 sity may require. The hardy sorts may be planted in a bed of light 

 sandy earth, where, if they are screened with mats for some time, 

 they will freely take root. 



1 ? 



BRINGING OUT THE HOT-HOUSE PLANTS. 



About the twenty-fifth of this month you may, in the middle 

 States, begin to bring out the hardier sorts of hot-house plants ; if 

 they had been removed into the green-house eight or ten days pre- 

 viously, it would be of service, as there they would gradually be pre- 

 pared, hardened, and become in a good condition for a removal into 



