358 LECTURE ON SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS. 



As to the climate of the forcing-house, this is deserv- 

 ing of attentive consideration. If too dry it creates a drain 

 on the natural resources of the plants ; if too wet they 

 become gorged with moisture, and this probably is one 

 cause of mildew. I know not how to convey any precise 

 information as to the proper hygrometric state of the 

 atmosphere ; this is one of those points in gardening 

 which the practical man judges of by the appearance 

 of the leaves tests by his own feelings when he enters 

 the house. The leaves should look firm, solid, and dark 

 green ; the climate should be soft, genial, and slightly 

 humid. The defect of climate, once ascertained, it is easy 

 to provide a remedy for ; if too dry, pour water on the 

 floor of the house, if too wet, admit air. 



A knowledge of these facts and principles, then, is the 

 groundwork on which the intelligent cultivator proceeds 

 in the production of early flowers. He knows that if he 

 would accomplish any marked success before he forces a 

 plant he must rest it, and that to retain it in health he 

 must prune it, and approach as near as may be to those 

 conditions of air, light, moisture, and heat to which it is 

 subjected in its natural state. 



I now proceed to the second part of my subject to 

 describe the most important details of cultivation. Let 

 us assume that it is the month of December, and we have 

 at our disposal Roses which have been prepared as just 

 described, and which we wish to bring into full bloom in 

 March. We have a forcing-house into which we convey 

 them. The soil in the pots is saturated with water, and 

 we prepare for pruning. The Hybrid Perpetual and Tea- 

 Scented are the best Roses for forcing, but we must not 

 exclude the Moss Rose, which forces tolerably well, and is 

 of rare beauty. We prune the Hybrid Perpetual Roses 

 closely, the Tea-Scented less, and the Moss least of all. 

 There is little fear of pruning either of the former out of 

 bloom, but the varieties of Moss Roses if pruned much 

 will produce leaves and branches only no flowers ! 



