270 THE PLEASURE GROUND. 



diately sown, without waiting for the return of the 

 Spring season, as many of them will vegetate, if 

 put in the soil as soon as received, that would 

 remain dormant if kept for any length of time out 

 of the seed pot. There should be a slight hot-bed 

 prepared for plunging the pots in as soon as the seeds 

 are sown, as a gentle heat will cause them to vege- 

 tate sooner than if they are kept without bottom 

 heat. Such seeds as have been collected in the 

 stove, through the Summer months, should be 

 sown in February or March, which is the best 

 season for a general sowing. As soon as the 

 seedlings appear to be of a sufficient size for potting 

 off, they should be put in small pots, but preserving 

 as much of the soil and young fibres to the plant 

 as can possibly be had. The young plants, after 

 potting, should be re-placed in a gentle hot-bed, and 

 kept shaded for a few days, until they begin to grow, 

 when they may be removed to the stove ; many of 

 the seedlings, as well as those raised from cuttings, 

 will naturally be drawn up in a weak state, for 

 the want of a sufficiency of air while they are in a 

 tender state ; these, therefore, should have their 

 tops pinched off, which will strengthen them, and 

 induce the plants to form a bushy appearance. 



