298 FORCING GARDEN 



root-stock be divided, with a piece of stem adhering, there 

 is little risk of failure. These plants come into flower at 

 all seasons of the year. The blossoms of many are beau- 

 tiful, and of the most curious structure ; and some are 

 fragrant. 



THE FORCING GARDEN 



is only a department, but an important one, of the Fruit 

 Garden. The term forcing is strictly applicable only to 

 those artificial processes by which vegetation is in a con- 

 siderable degree accelerated ; but in common language it 



O o O 



has been applied to all those operations in which glazed 

 frames or houses are concerned, though they may be em- 

 ployed merely in aiding the common progress of nature, or 

 in counteracting the great vicissitudes of our climate. For 

 the sake of convenience, we shall adopt the term in its 

 broadest acceptation. After some preliminary observa- 

 tions, we shall first treat of the structures, and then of the 

 fruits and vegetables which are cultivated in them. 



The principal object of hot-houses, and other structures 

 of a similar nature, is to produce an artificial temperature 

 and humidity of the atmosphere, which shall resemble, as 

 nearly as possible, the climate in which the fruits or plants 

 naturally flourish. A command of heat is obviously a pri- 

 mary requisite. A regulated admission of air, and the pre- 

 sence of a certain degree of moisture, are, in the next place, 

 necessary. Lastly, without the free access of light, plants 

 become blanched, or are destroyed by the moisture which 

 they generate. These, then, are the conditions which limit 

 the form of hot-houses; when these are attained, any form 

 may be adopted which invention can devise, or wealth exe- 

 cute ; but every true lover of the art will aim at simpli- 



