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THE HOT-HOUSE. 



Fruiting I'ines. 



It is on a due proportion of air admitted into the hot-house that 

 the goodness of the pine plants in a great measure depends. The 

 want of it will cause them to grow with long leaves and weak 

 stems, which plants never produce good fruit. 



On the other hand, air admitted in too great a quantity, or at 

 improper times, will injure the plants, and cause them to grow 

 yellow and sickly. 



In the depth of winter, during the time that the plants are nearly 

 in a state of inaction, the hot-house will require but very little air; 

 yet it will absolutely be necessary to take every favourable oppor- 

 tunity to let out the foul air, and admit fresh, when it can be done 

 with safety to the plants; the letting down the glasses a little way, 

 even for a. few minutes, in the middle of the day, is of more impoV- 

 tance than inexperienced persons can conceive, especially when 

 there is a little sun and a mild wind. But at this season, particu- 

 larly in the advanced part of the month, to have regard to the words 

 give air on the botanical thermometers, is not necessary, for a little 

 may with much safety be given, although the spirits should not 

 rise higher than 62° of Fahrenheit, or six or eight degrees above 

 temperate. 



It will be necessary to continue a regular degree of heat in the 

 house, as directed last month, by keeping up a fire-heat every even- 

 ing, night, and morning, but more particularly in severe weather; 

 and a constant heat in the bark-bed. As the heat of the weather 

 increases, and the sun becomes powerful, the morning fires, in par- 

 ticular, must be regulated accordingly. 



The fruiting-plants will now generally show fruit; they must 

 therefore have very particular care, and not be suffered to want a 

 sufficiency of bottom heat, air, or a reasonable portion of water. 



Examine the bark-bed, and see if there is a proper heat, for upon 

 that depends the success of having handsome and fall-sized fruit. 

 The great article is to preserve iifrec growth in the fruit from their 

 first appearance to the time of their maturity; this must be done 

 by keeping the bark-bed to a proper degree of heat: that is, it 

 should be quite lively, for a faint heat will not answer the purpose; 

 therefore, on examining the bed, if you find it much decreased, let 

 preparation be made for its revival as soon as possible. 



Provide for that purpose a quantity of new bark from the tan- 

 ners the beginning of this month. The middle-sized bark is to be 

 chosen, and such as has been at least a fortnight or three weeks 

 out of the tan-vats. 



The quantity of fresh bark necessary to provide at this time, 

 should be equal to near one-third of what the bark-pit will contain. 



