OMITTED IN DECEMBER. 



It is necessary to keep the seed moderately moist, by gentle 

 occasional waterings with soft water, that has been exposed to the 

 sun, or to fire heat, till the cold chill is off; this should be given 

 from the rose of a small watering-pot, which rose should be ot a 

 hemispherical form, and perforated with very small holes, that will 

 discharge fine streams of water, in a very distinct and regular 

 manner ; this should be made of copper, it being less liable to cor- 

 rode than iron. 



But although it is necessary to the vegetation of the seed, that it 

 be kept moderately moist, too great a degree of moistuie is never- 

 theless injurious, especially till the commencement of the spring 

 heat, and indeed at any period. 



When the young plants begin to appear, which if sown in Decem- 

 ber or early in January, will generally happen about the latter 

 end of February, earlier or later according to the temperature of the 

 weather, and the care taken of the frame, refresh them occasionally 

 with gentle waterings, and give them air at every favourable oppor- 

 tunity : but be sure to keep the glasses close in very cold weather 

 and well covered at night ; observing also, as the sun gets power- 

 ful to screen the plants from its mid-day influence, which, some- 

 times, would in one hour, destroy the whole. 



As the spring advances, more and more air must be admitted, 

 and on fine days the plants totally exposed, except to a scorching 

 sun, so as to have them by the latter end of April, or as soon as the 

 smart night frosts are over, so hardened, as to bear the open air, 

 night and day ; observing to keep them regularly watered, and to 

 give them the advantage of fine warm showers of rain, when such 

 happen in due time. 



This kind of management is to be continued till the roots are 

 matured, always taking care to protect the plants, by a screen of 

 hurdles or thin bass-mats laid over the frame, from the too powerful 

 influence of the sun, but never keeping this covering over them, 

 longer than necessary. Their maturity will be known by the 

 foliage becoming brown, dry, and nearly consumed, which generally 

 happens, in the middle states, towards the latter end of June, or 

 early in July. 



The speediest and safest method of taking up these small roots, 

 is to pare off the earth three inches deep, having previously picked 

 off the dried leaves, and any other extraneous matter that may be 

 found on the bed. The earth and roots thus collected, are to be 

 thrown into a fine wire sieve, that will not permit the smallest root 

 to pass through it, which is to be worked in a large vessel or tub of 

 water nearly filled,, the earthly parts will dissolve and wash away 

 and the roots remain in the sieve, which may be easily picked from 

 the stones, Sec. The upper rim of the sieve must, at ail times, be 

 held above the surface of the water, otherwise, some of the small 

 roots will float over and be lost. The roots are then to be dried 

 and preserved, as directed for the large roots in page 407, till the 

 latter end of September, or early in October, when they are to be 

 planted and managed as in pages 532 and 533 ; observing that they 

 (being small) maybe planted somewhat closer than the large roots, 

 #nd will not require to be covered quite so deep. 



