418 THE FORCING GARDEN. sEPTv 



suddenly change to cold and wet. If the lower part 

 of the shoots be not, by this time, turning brown- 

 ish, then it is advisable to apply a little fire-heat, in 

 order to further the growth of the plants, and the 

 perfection of the wood. 



Some would put this matter off, perhaps ano- 

 ther month ; but if the application of fire-heat 

 be at all necessary, less trouble and expence for 

 fuel will attend the process of ripening the shoots 

 in September than in October. Another considera- 

 tion is, that, as it were, you take up vegetation on 

 the way, and hand her forward to the end of her 

 journey, instead of allowing her to lag behind, and 

 -then forcibly push her on against her inclinations ; 

 a matter of the very first consideration and import- 

 ance in every species of horticulture. 



Let very moderate fires be made at first, increa- 

 sing their strength as the season advances, and so as 

 to keep the temperature, mornings and evenings, at 

 about 70. This should be continued till the growth 

 of the plants begin to stop, and till the part of the 

 leading shoots whereat you would cut (as to be di- 

 rected in November,) that is, about six or eight 

 feet upwards, become brownish* 



The portions of air, hitherto freely admitted, 

 must be lessened by degrees, as the weather turns 

 colder ; and so as that in sunshine, the mercury 

 may not fall below 75. When the growth of the 

 plants is over, expose the house day and night, ex- 

 cept in rain. 



Water must also be withheld as the growth of 

 the plants abate, and somewhat in the proportion in 



