298 FORCING GARDEN 
root-stock be divided, with a piece of stem adhering, there 
is little risk of failure. These plants come into flower at 
all seasons of the year. The blossoms of many are beau- 
tiful, and of the most curious structure; and some are 
fragrant. ; 
THE. FORCING GARDEN 
is only a department, but an important one, of the Fruit 
Garden. The term forcing is strictly applicable only to 
those artificial processes by which vegetation is in a con- 
siderable degree accelerated; but in common language it 
has been applied to all those operations in which glazed 
frames or houses are concerned, though they may be em- 
ployed merely in aiding the common progress of nature, or 
in counteracting the great vicissitudes of our climate. For 
the sake of convenience, we shall adopt the term in its 
broadest acceptation, After some preliminary observa- 
tions, we shall first treat of the structures, and then of the 
fruits and vegetables which are cultivated in them. 
The principal object of hot-houses, and other structures 
of a similar nature, is to, produce an artificial temperature 
and humidity of the atmosphere, which shall resemble, as 
nearly as possible, the climate in which the fruits or plants 
naturally flourish. A command of heatis obviously a pri- 
mary requisite. A regulated admission of air, and the pre- 
sence of a certain degree of moisture, are, in the next place, 
necessary. Lastly, without the free access of light, plants 
become blanched, or are destroyed by the moisture which 
they generate. These, then, are the conditions which limit 
the form of hot-houses; when these are attained, any form 
may be adopted which invention can devise, or wealth exe- 
cute; but every true lover of the art will aim at simpli. 
