170 The Hot-House. [Mar. 



bark-bed to a proper degree of heat : that is, the heat lliould 

 be quite lively, for a faint heat will not anfwer the pur- 

 pofe ; therefore, on examining the beds, if you find the 

 heat much decreafed, let preparation be made to renew it 

 as {oon. as poffible. 



Provide for tliat purpofs, a quantity of new bark from 

 the tanners, the beginning of this month. The middle- 

 fized bark is to be chofen, and fuch as hath been at leail a 

 fortnight or tliree weeks out of the tan-pits. 



The quantity of new bark neceflary to provide at this 

 time, fhould be equal to near one-third part of what the 

 bark-pit will contain. This, when brought home, fhould 

 be thrown up in a heap ; and lie eight or ten days, to drain 

 and prepare for fermentation. But, if very wet, it fhould 

 be firft fpread thin in an open funny place for two or three 

 days to dry, and be then thrown in a heap. 



When the bark is ready, let all the pots be taken up out of 

 the bed ; then pare offfome of the old earthy bark at the top 

 and fides to an equal depth, and carry it away. When 

 this i=: done, throw in the new bark, filling up the bark- 

 pit therewith to the top ; then, with a fork, let the whole 

 be worked up, and the new and old be perfcflly well mix- 

 ed together, working it up quite to the bottom. 



Level the top, and immediately let the pots be plunged 

 ia a regular manner as they were before. The whole of 

 this work Ihould be begun and finifhed tlie fame day, if 

 poffi-ble. 



The heat of the old bark being not quite exhauded, it will 

 fet t-henew a-goin? direttly, as it were ; and the new will 

 revive the heat of the old, and both together will produce 

 a kindly growing heat, and will retain it a long time. 



Watering the Hot-hau/e Plants y and gi-jing frejh Air. 



V/ater fhould now be given frequently to the pine-apple 

 plants in general, but the fi-uiting-plants will require it 

 pretty oft^n* 



They fhould be refrefhed moderately, about once "in 

 four, five, or fix days ; and be fare not to give them too 

 much at a time. 



Air mufr alfo be admitted to thefe plants, at all fa- 

 vourable opportunities. This Ihould be done only in v/arm 

 fiinfty days, and but little wind iHrririg. In fuch days, 

 fom€ of the glafTes may be drawn open a little way, about 



