58 PRACTICAL FLOBICULTUKE. 



in greenhouse or frame during the cool months of March, 

 April or May, in our climate, than if delayed until June 

 or July, the time it is usually done in the colder climate 

 of England. It has been our own practice for years to 

 sow in these months ; but if by chance it has been omitted, 

 we prefer to delay sowing till September, rather than to 

 sow in midsummer. Many failures are attributable to 

 want of knowledge of this fact, and they are, without 

 question, laid to the charge of the seedsman. 



The same necessity of accommodating the temperature 

 to the nature of a matured plant, exists even to a greater 

 extent, than it does with the seed ; and one of the main 

 causes of want of success in cultivating plants under glass 

 is, want of knowledge of the proper temperature, or from 

 carelessness in keeping a temperature unsuited to the 

 growth of the plants. In ordinary greenhouse collections, 

 the fault is oftener in the temperature being kept too high 

 than too low, for it is much easier, requiring far less 

 watchfulness by the person in charge, to keep up a high 

 temperature. The injury done by this is gradual, and 

 will not, like the action of frost on the plants, show in the 

 morning. In consequence of this, we often see the green- 

 house containing Camellias, Azaleas, Pelargoniums, Oar- 

 nations, etc., etc., sweltering in midwinter under a 

 continued night temperature of sixty-five degrees, when 

 their nature demands fifteen degrees lower. 



We too often see collections of hot-house and green- 

 house plants intermingled, and attempts made to grow 

 them together, which must result in failure to one or 

 the other. The temperature to grow, in healthy con- 

 dition, Coleus, Bouvardia,or Poinsettia (hot-house plants), 

 would not be likely to maintain Verbenas, Carnations, or 

 Geraniums, long in a healthy state. The same rules fol- 

 low as to the propagating house, showing the necessity, 

 even in a greater degree, of observing the requirements 

 of their different natures. Coleus, Bouvardia, Begonia, 



