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the case, it must be done at considerable sacrifice. 

 The amount of atmospheric humidity necessary to 

 carry out the Hamiltonian system would be extremely 

 prejudicial, if not ruinous, to both the general health 

 as well as the productions of the vine. The first and 

 iifbst peculiar feature in Mr. H.'s system, is fruiting 

 the sucker on the old stool, which is nature's own 

 way of doing the business. The second feature is 

 the preservation of the old roots for a much longer 

 period than is commonly practised — say for nearly 

 seven years. The third, although much at variance 

 with preconceived opinions, appears to answer, and is 

 the maintenance of a high and moist atmosphere all 

 the winter. The fourth consists in a much more 

 moderate use of bottom heat than is customary. Mr. 

 H, considers about 82 degs. to be the most whole- 

 some maximum. Now, alluding to the preservation 

 of the old stool, it seems strange that, seeing this was 

 so long since recommmended by the late Mr. Knight, 

 it has not crept more fully into practice. If it can 

 be proved that the old stump is a storehouse, or 

 ready provided fund of organizable matter, which it 

 has taken some expense of both time and material, 

 as well as vital energy in the system of the plant, to 

 provide, why not retain it ? Who would think of 

 cutting away all the green pseudo-bulbs of a new and 

 choice orchid ? The second feature, viz., the preser- 

 vation of all the old roots for an almost indefinite pe- 



