302 THE HOT-HOUSE. [MARCH. 



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

 creases, 'and the sun becomes powerful, the morning fires, in par- 

 ticular, must be regulatedly accordingly. 



The fruiting-plants will now generally shew 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 

 iirst 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 j 

 therefore, on examining the bed, if you find it much decreased, let 

 preparation be made for its revival as soon as possible. 



Provide, for that purpose, a quantity of new bark from the tan- 

 ners, 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 be then thrown in a heap. 



When your bark is ready, and that 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 169, and immediately 

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

 finished the same clay if possible. 



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

 the ntw immediately to ferment, and if well proportioned, and mix- 

 ed, and that it is done towards the end cf the month, it will retain a 

 kindly growing heat till the fruit is ripe. Tor further particulars, 

 5ee January and February. 



Succession Pines. 



As the length of the day and power of the sun increases these 

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

 sary to keep them in a regular growing state ; for if young plants 

 receive a check afterwards, it generally causes many of them to 

 start fruit. From this time forward they will require a little water 

 occasionally, just what is only sufficient to keep the earth in a mo- 

 derate state of moisture, for too much would injure them. 



About the middle of the month or soon alter, will be an eligible 

 season for shifting them 3 in the doing of which, shake off the whole 

 ball of earth, and cut olf' all the roots that are cf a black colour, 

 carefully preserving such only, as are white and strong. Then put 

 the plants that are intended to fruit next season, in pots of eight or 



