*uoith a Descr^tion of the Compost. 303 



a little water given them, and the pots are raised half way 

 out of the dung, and the next day entirely to the top, giving 

 as much air as will keep the temperature of the frame to 70"^ 

 of heat, to prevent the plants being drawn up weak. The 

 following day they are removed into the pine-stove for two or 

 three days, to harden the plants previously to potting them 

 off, placing them near the glass in the daytime, and lowering 

 them down in the night. 



I pot the plants singly into small-sized No. 60 pots, using 

 the same sort of compost as they were sown in, always taking 

 care to let the pots be well drained, and a little of the rough- 

 est earth put in the bottom. 



The bed is well forked up to tlie depth of 1 ft. every four 

 or five days, and watered, as necessity requires, with water 

 of the same temperature as the heat in the frame, in order to 

 keep the dung in a strong moist heat, the pots being kept 

 constantly plunged up to the rims until the plants attain their 

 full growth. They require very little water, which is always 

 given over their heads with a fine rose watering-pot. In the 

 middle of the day, when the sun is out, the lights are closed 

 down for about a quarter of an hour, and the plants thinly 

 shaded ; observing at all times to admit double the quantity 

 of air, for about a quarter of an hour previously to watering. 

 The heads of the plants are kept near to the glass, and the 

 temperature of the frame to 75° of heat. 



As soon as the plants have rooted sufficiently, and before 

 the roots get matted together, they are put into full-sized 

 No. 60 pots, using the same sort of compost as before. I let 

 them remain in these pots until they have formed their heads, 

 when the strongest plants and the best shaped combs are se- 

 lected, and potted into No. 48-sized pots, using, for the. first 

 time^ the prepared compost of turf, &c., which is cut into 

 pieces of a quarter of an inch square. 



After the comb is formed, I never allow the roots of the 

 plants to get entwined, but always remove them into larger 

 pots as soon as the roots are sufficiently advanced, in order 

 that they may receive no check whatever, but be kept con- 

 stantly in a growing state ; also carefully removing all side 

 branches as they appear. 



When the plants have rooted sufficiently in the No. 48- 

 sized pots, they are then removed into No. 32s ; and lastly 

 into No. 24s, where they complete their growth, and will 

 retain their heads perfect for several months, by receiving a 

 diminished quantity of water, and being removed into the 

 green-house or conservatory. I am. Sir, yours, &c. 



John Harrison. 

 Syston ParJc, near Grantham, Dec. 10. 1829. 



