Feb.1 THE HOT-HOUSE. 



177 



begin at one end, and open a kind of trench, by taking out some of 

 the bark and carrying it to the other; this done, begin at said 

 trench, and with a fork, dig and work up the bark quite to the 

 bottom, taking care to break the cakes or lumps; mix all the parts 

 well together, and fill up at last with that taken out of the first 

 opening. Having finished, let the top be made level, and imme- 

 diately plunge the pots again to their rims as before. This work 

 is so very necessary that it should not on any consideration be 

 omitted at the time above mentioned; that is to say, if the bark 

 has much declined in its heat. 



The bed being thus treated, it will soon renew its heat, and 

 retain the same well for six weeks or thereabouts. 



At the expiration of that period, or sometime in March or begin- 

 ning of April, the bark will require to be stirred up again, and 

 refreshed with about one-third, or at least one-fourth part of new 

 tan; after this it will retain a proper degree of heat till the fruit 

 is ripe. — See March and April. 



The bark-bed wherein the succession pine-plants are plunged, 

 should also be examined now with good attention; and if the heat 

 is found to be much decreased, the bed should be treated in the 

 manner above directed. 



Watering the Pines. 



The fruiting pine-apple plants should now have moderate refresh- 

 ments of water, provided there be a good heat in the bark-bed: and 

 when there is a proper degree of that and moderate moisture 

 together, it will make the young fruit swell very fast. 



But in watering these plants, be careful to give it moderately at 

 each time. The rule is this: let the earth in the pots which contain 

 the plants, be kept just a little moist in a middling degree; and if 

 this is observed, the plants and fruit will thrive. 



The succession pine-plants, that is, those which are to fruit next 

 year, must also be refreshed now and then with water; in watering 

 these, let the same rule be observed as just mentioned above. 



Remember also to give water at times to the younger succession 

 pines, consisting of the last year's crowns and suckers. 



In watering the pine-plants in general, you should still be cau- 

 tious to let none of it, or but as little as possible, fall into the centre 

 of the plants, where, being apt to lodge, it would prove detrimental, 

 in some degree, to these exotics at this season. 



Of the Various kinds of Plants in the Hot- House. 



In some hot-houses there are kept many other sorts of curious 

 exotics, besides the pines, both of the succulent and woody kinds, 

 &c.j and as they are all tender, being from the hottest part9 of the 

 world, the same degrees of heat as recommended for the pine, 

 will, generally speaking, be suitable for them; however, there are 

 some of those which, to do them the greatest possible justice, 

 require a somewhat greater degree of heat than the pine-apple, and 



