356 THE HOT-HOUSE, [APRIL, 



Cafie Bulbs. 



Many of the Cape Bulbs, mentioned in page 159, will be now in 

 flower ; they should all be kept in the front parts of the green- 

 house, and have plenty of air ; without which, they will spindle up 

 and never show either strong or brilliant flowers ; such as are in 

 blow however, are, when the sun shines too powerfully on them, 

 to be, for the moment, removed out of its rays, or it will facilitate 

 their decline. 



THE HOT-HOUSE. 



Pine 



In this month it will be easy to distinguish, which of the 

 Pines are likely to produce the best fruit ; this is not always com- 

 mon to the largest plants. A few of the most promising being 

 marked, a small iron rod, made with a sharp angular point, may be 

 thrust down the centre of each sucker arising therefrom, which be- 

 ing turned two or three times round, will drill out the heart and pre- 

 vent its growth. Thus the plants, being sufficiently supplied with 

 water, and having nothing; to support but the fruit, will sometimes 

 grow amazingly large. But this method is not to be practised on 

 too many plants, as it would be attended with the entire loss of all 

 the suckers. 



Watering the Pines, 



In the West Indies, where Pines grow in the greatest perfection, 

 rains are very unfrequent, during the period that this fruit is com- 

 ing to maturity, but the dews are remarkably heavy ; therefore it 

 is principally supplied with moisture from the latter ; in imitation 

 of which, you should raise artificial dews, in the hot-house, by wa- 

 tering the walks and flues frequently, in dry weather. This will 

 be found extremely beneficial, not only to the Pine Apple, but to all 

 other plants, which are natives of similar climates ; and by this 

 management, they will require much less water, than they other- 

 wise would. However regular waterings, taking care to give but a 

 little at a time, just to keep the earth moderately moist, will be 

 necessary. 



To/i and Bottom Heat. 



Continue to support the requisite heat in the hot-house, by aid 

 of moderate evening fires, and u constant good heat in the bark-bed : 



