326 THE FORCING: GARDEN. [JAN. 



to a new pit, so as to reduce it into a half rotten 

 state ; and in adding new bark at any time, in shift- 

 ing the plants, there should never be a great pro- 

 portion added ; seldom above an eighth part. The 

 new bark added, too, should always be kept well 

 down ; making a point of plunging the pots entirely 

 in the old. 



By observing these simple rules, there will be no 

 danger of burning or scorching the roots of the 

 plants ; a thing which frequently happens with those 

 who work violently, and keep up a fiery bottom- 

 heat, out of all proportion to that of the house, and 

 what the roots of no plant, even in the torrid re- 

 gions of the earth, are accustomed to. The tempe- 

 rature of the bark-bed, at the bottom of the pots, 

 should not exceed 96, at anytime; and until it falls 

 below 75, there is no necessity for stirring it up, or 

 adding new bark. Its state may be known, at any 

 time, by plunging a thermometer in it, to the depth 

 of a foot, or to that of the bottom of the largest pots. 



Having premised this much, I shall proceed to 

 the consideration of particulars ; and, first, 



Of the Nursing Pit. 



It is presumed the crowns and suckers contained 

 herein are struck, having been planted in summer 

 and autumn last year, or as the crop was gathered ; 

 also, that the bark-bed was stirred up and put in 

 order for the winter, in November, and that it con- 

 tains a sufficient heat to last till next month, or till 



March. 

 The temperature of the pit, with fire-heat, should 



