Temperature Resting. 153 



plain that the time of flowering will be regulated by the temperature of the house ; 

 and plain also that the finest flowers will be produced if a moderate degree of heat be 

 maintained. Has our treatment then, guided as in some measure it must be by the 

 state of the weather without-doors, caused them to flower in February, or is it March ? 

 Whichever it may be, here they are, delighting us with their gay and varied colours, 

 and shedding around a delicious perfume. 



Here is a pause in the process of cultivation : the Amateur has breathing 

 time. He has only to see that his favourites do not suffer from drought, 

 and all will go on well. But an active mind, which the cultivation of flowers 

 usually engenders, will find plenty of amusement in attending to the plants out of 

 doors. Besides, is it likely that a house of forced Roses should be known to exist 

 without drawing the proprietor's friends or some anxious connoisseurs around him ! 

 And here is one charm hanging over the pursuit : not only does the votary of 

 floriculture derive from the purest sources a calm and intellectual enjoyment, but 

 he is at the same time enabled to exhibit the art in its most pleasing dress to 

 those around him. 



When the flowering is over it is advisable to remove the Summer bloomers. Do 

 not take them at once from the forcing-house and place them out of doors, for the 

 sudden change would prove injurious. Gradually harden them by help of a cold house 

 if standards, or a pit if dwarfs. When the Summer kinds are removed, fresh plants, kept 

 in reserve for the purpose, may, if the Amateur wish, be brought to fill their places. 

 The Autumnal bloomers, may, however, be treated somewhat differently ; their shoots 

 should be cut back to three or four eyes with good leaves, and they will give forth a 

 second crop of flowers in grand perfection during May. At the time they are cut 

 back it is well to remove a little of the surface soil, replacing it with well-pulverized 

 manure. 



After April very little fire heat is required for the forcing-house ; indeed, if the 

 weather be warm and sunny none is needed. After the second flowering the 

 admission of air should be gradually increased for a few days, when the plants may 

 be re-potted and removed from the house. In the operation of potting it will be 

 found necessary to shake away a portion of the soil, sometimes using larger pots, and 

 sometimes others of the same size ; the old pots should not be used again till they 

 have been washed or well rubbed out. After potting, plunge the plants in an airy 

 and sunny situation, where they may remain till required for forcing the following 

 year. Having been early excited, they will be disposed to rest early, and thus are 

 obtained specimens in the best condition for forcing. I have observed plants which 

 have been forced for several years in succession cease growing about Midsummer, 

 and shed a portion of their leaves shortly afterwards. If, from much rain, the bark 

 and soil become thoroughly moistened, they are aroused, a second growth occurs, and 

 the best wood is lost. To prevent this the pots should be laid on their sides under a 



