324 GENERAL REMARKS ON THE MANAGEMENT 



afternoon, so as to preserve a portion of the warmth generated 

 by the sun's rays within the house, to maintain a slight degree 

 of heat in the house before the heating apparatus is set to work. 



The accelerating, or forcing, of the vegetables and fruits of 

 temperate climates into a state of premature production is some- 

 what different, and more difficult, than the preservation of plants 

 during winter. The constitutions of the various fruit-bearing 

 plants, as vines, &c., require atmospheres of different tempera- 

 ture and moisture, and their success is dependent upon many 

 contingent circumstances, which never occur in the mere preser- 

 vation of green-house plants. 



The two principal methods of accelerating fruits in hot- 

 houses are, by planting them permanently in borders prepared 

 for them, and by planting in tubs and large pots ; and keeping 

 a succession of plants thus prepared, every year, to supply the 

 places of those which had become unfruitful by the effects of 

 forcing and producing a heavy crop of fruit. 



The first of these methods has long been practised, and is, 

 undoubtedly, the best for permanent crops, as more fruit can be 

 produced in a house by this method than by the potting system. 

 When once planted out, however, and growing under the glass, 

 they cannot be removed from the house, and, consequently, are 

 dependent upon the cultivator for the elements of consumption, 

 air and water. The grand effect is produced by heat, and the 

 great aim is to supply just as much as will harmonize with the 

 light afforded by the sun, and the peculiar condition under which 

 the plants exist. All the operations must be natural and grad- 

 ual, and a good cultivator will always follow the dictates and 

 example of the natural world. He will never be anxious to force 

 things on too rapidly, a very common error, and a frequent 

 cause of failure ; he will likewise be careful to guard against 

 sudden checks, either by a sudden decrease of temperature, or 

 the reverse ; but he will endeavor to continue the natural course 

 of vegetation uninterruptedly through foliation, inflorescence, and 

 fructification. 



The skilful balancing of the temperature and moisture of the 

 air, in cultivating the different kinds of fruits in forcing-houses, 

 and the just adaptation of the various seasons of growth and 



