308 THE GREEN-HOUSE. [March. 



strength, and a renewed head of branches of prosperous growth, 

 early in the following summer. 



Heading down Myrtles, \c. 



Where myrtles or other similar exotics have decayed branches, 

 or their heads thin, straggling, and irregular, they may now also be 

 headed down, more or less, as it shall seem proper, and either shift 

 them into some fresh earth, as directed above for the oranges, or 

 some of the top mould within the pots taken out, and a little around 

 the sides, then fill up with fresh earth and water them. 



These trees with this management will shoot out again, and in 

 four or five months time will be furnished with entire new heads. 

 Supply them duly with water. 



Shifting Plants, that want it, into larger Pots. 



Any of the oranges, lemons, or myrtles, or other green-house 

 plants that want larger pots, may be shifted therein, with some 

 fresh earth, towards the end of this month, when the weather is mild. 



In performing this, let each plant intended for shifting be turned 

 out of its present pot with the ball of earth entire; but let any 

 thickly matted or dry mouldy roots on the outside of the ball be 

 pared oft' with a sharp knife; then set them in their new pots, and 

 fill up the spaces with fresh earth. 



Water them immediately after this, set them in their places in 

 the green-house, and they will shoot freely both at the root and top. 



Care of Geraniums or Pelargoniums. 



Examine the geraniums and other plants of a similar growth; 

 the young shoots being somewhat succulent, are more liable to 

 injury from the effects of a severe winter, or great damps, than the 

 harder wooded exotics, so as sometimes many of them decay or 

 mould, and which, where they occur, should now be pruned away: 

 likewise pick oft' all decayed leaves. 



Your geraniums will now show flowers, and it is necessary to 

 give them plenty of water and as much air as the weather will 

 admit of. 



Giving fresh Earth to the Pots of Grcen-hoase Plants. 



The orange and green-house plants in general, which do not 

 require shifting, should at this time have some fresh earth added 

 to the tops of their pots or tubs; it will encourage the plants greatly, 

 and it is soon done. 



First loosen the old earth in the tops of the tubs or pots, quite to 

 the surface of the roots, but so as not to disturb them, and loosen 

 it also down round the sides a little way, then take out the loose 

 earth and fill up the pots with some that is new, and give them a 

 moderate watering. 



