42 THE HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 



reality commences, and although from the little influence 

 of the sun at this period of the year all the advantages of 

 a real spring cannot be secured, yet we should approach 

 it as nearly as circumstances will permit. A gentle heat 

 should be commenced with, the fire should be lighted at 

 sunrise for the first fortnight, and extinguished at sunset, 

 unless the weather be frosty. A cool night temperatiire 

 in commencing is most essential. The plants should be 

 lightly syringed every morning, except two or three wet 

 days happen consecutively, when syringing may be 

 omitted. If the weather be mild, air may be admitted to 

 strengthen the swelling buds, and a day temperature of 

 50, and a night temperature of 35 to 40, is sufficient 

 at this early period of forcing. Soon the leaves will unfold 

 themselves when the temperature may be gradually raised, 

 ranging from 60 to 70 by day and from 40 to 50 by night. 



From this time no air must be admitted. The tempera- 

 ture may be raised by sudden bursts of sunshine to 80 or 

 90 without any decided injury resulting ; if indeed it be 

 attempted to remedy this by the admission of air, it is pro- 

 bable that the leaves will curl up and drop, producing the 

 most disastrous effects. It will be found necessary to fumi- 

 gate the forcing-house with tobacco occasionally to destroy 

 the green-fly. An occasional watering with manure water 

 will also prove beneficial. Plants introduced early in Janu- 

 ary will flower by the middle of March, when a light shading 

 should be provided as the means of preserving the flowers in 

 perfection as long as possible. As soon as the buds show 

 colour syringing may be dispensed with, .and at this time it is 

 customary with some to remove a few plants from the forcing 

 house to a colder house, where the flowers are more gradu- 

 ally developed, and their size and colour much improved. 

 By removing a few plants at different periods, and intro- 

 ducing fresh ones, a succession of flowers is also obtained. 



Thus have I brought my subject to a close, and in 

 taking leave of you beg to thank you for the kind 

 attention you have so courteously given me. 



