56 



The monthly division of business which has gene- 

 rally been adopted by those who have attempted to 

 lay down rules for the inexperienced — for whom alone 

 we intend these remarks — appearing to us to be in- 

 efficient to the end in view, we have deemed it expe- 

 dient to take a somewhat wider footing, and to endea- 

 vour so to group the main features of the subject, as 

 that a mere tyro, although confined as to principles, 

 may be totally unfettered by mere rules ; and may, 

 consequently, as a matter of convenience, greatly mo- 

 dify his mode of culture, so as readily to meet any 

 contingency. We may also here state, that we have 

 thought it necessary to confine ourselves to the pot 

 culture of pines, on the old bark bed system ; for 

 those who can cultivate pines well by that mode may 

 safely be entrusted with the tank. We have no pre- 

 possession for either the Meudon or Hamiltonian 

 system ; but believe that they are both good in their 

 way. We have, therefore, occasionally adverted to 

 them when considered necessary. 



Before proceeding further, we would offer a few- 

 remarks on the following important processes as con- 

 nected with pine culture in all its stages, which will 

 be useful preliminaries, as tending to prevent repeti- 

 tion in what follows : — 



1 . General principles of potting. 



2. General principles of watering. 



