OF PLANTS. 



117 



finally expose it to the open air. While the plant under- 

 goes this species of education, you have the advantage of 

 studying its habits, the nature of the soil most favorable to 

 its growth, the quantity of water it requires, the degree of 

 light to which it should be exposed, the wind which it 

 will support, and a number ofminute circumstances, which 

 will indicate the situation and treatment most congenial 

 to it, on transplanting it into the open air. This knowl- 

 edge of the habits of plants is highly essential to their 

 success, in becoming naturalised to a foreign climate. 



Emily. Undoubtedly. If it be found that they require 

 much moisture, it will be expedient to plant them in hol- 

 lows rather than on rising ground. When the plant is 

 tender and delicate, so that light, heat, and shelter be- 

 come essential to its preservation, you must select a 

 southern aspect, that it may derive every possible advan- 

 tage from the sun, and be sheltered from the north wind. 



Mrs. B. You must also pay attention to plant it rather 

 deep in the soil, in order that its roots may be supplied 

 with water of a moderate temperature, and that the neck 

 or vital part of the plant be sheltered from the inclemen- 

 cy of the weather, by being well covered with earth. Then 

 it should be transplanted in the spring, in order that it may 

 be gradually accustomed to a diminution of temperature, 

 instead of being suddenly exposed to the severity of win- 

 ter. Besides, if planted in the spring, it will be hardened 

 against the following winter by the deposition of carbon 

 during the summer. It is desirable, also, to plant it in a 

 rich vegetable soil, in order to afford it plenty of nourish- 

 ment. 



Caroline. In Switzerland, they plant rhododendrons 

 and kalmias in pots of remarkably black earth. 



Mrs. B. The bog-earth or peat-earth of England, 

 though less rich, is of the same nature, consisting chiefly 

 of vegetable remains. There are whole districts in Bel- 

 gium of this nutritive vegetable soil, which is converted 

 into nursery gardens for raising kalmias, rhododendrons, 

 and other plants of this description, where they grow and 



656. What may be learnt when it is undergoing this species of educa- 

 tion 1 657. Why should a southern aspect be selected for it! 658. 

 Why must it be planted deep 1 ? 659. Why should it be transplant- 

 ed in Spring 1 ? 660. In Switzerland how are rhododendrons and kal- 

 mias cultivated! 661. What is said of the cultivation of them io. 

 Belgium 1 ? 



