56 



THE AMERICAX GARDENER. [Chap 



shall speak under the head of Flowers ; and shall, 

 in this place, only add some directions as to ma- 

 nagevient, which are applicable to the whole ab- 

 semblage. 



106. Air is the main thing, after the keeping out 

 of the frost. Air is given by pushing up, or draw- 

 ing down, the Lights, which form the top or roof 

 of the green-house. Always give air, when there 

 is no fear of frost. Give heat and air at the same 

 time, if the weather be not mild enough to dispense 

 with the heat. For, without air, the plants will be* 

 come sickly. They have lungs as well as we ; and, 

 though they may live, for a while, without air, they 

 will be an eye-sore instead of a delight to the be- 

 holder. If the sides and front, as well as the top, 

 of the green-house, be of glass, (which is best,) then 

 air may be given there, instead of giving it by push- 

 ing up, or pulling down, the lights at top, 



107. The plants, of whatever sort or size, must 

 be in what the English call pots, and what the 

 Americans cMjars, Perhaps I may as well speak, 

 once for all, about the shape and size, and manner 

 of planting in, these pots. The shape is generally 

 well known ; but, the pots ought never to be glazed. 

 Plain earthen pots are best as well as cheapest. 

 There must be a hole in the middle of the bottom 

 of every pot, or no plant will live in it for any con- 

 siderable length of time, and will never grow in it 

 at all. This hole should be in proportion to the 

 size of the pot ; and the pots may be from 4 inches 

 to IS inches over at top, and from 4 inches to 18 

 inches deep ; being one third less across at bottom 

 than at the top. The smallest hole ought to be of 

 the size of half a dollar, 



108. Besides the pot, there is what the English 

 call a pan, for the pot to stand in, which should be 



