23 



afternoon, and generally wholly close the lights for a 

 short period, after a good application of water has 

 been given over the plants and whole structure ; but 

 then apply air again at sunset, to remain all night, 

 and increase it the following morning preyious to the 

 sun shining on the structure. This practice is in no 

 way regulated by what the internal heat may be, 

 though, of course, if the external atmosphere is very 

 low in temperature the admission of air is to be regu- 

 lated accordingly. In this state they should be al- 

 lowed to remain till three o'clock p.m., when the 

 shade should be removed, and the air gradually in- 

 creased, so as to prevent a greater accumulation of 

 sun heat than will keep the mercury indicating 90 

 degs. At five o'clock p.m., if the plants are quite 

 dry, give them a little sprinkling of water, and take 

 off the air or not, as the temperature may require, 

 thus having them dry, and the reverse, twice in 24 

 hours. In very hot weather, give the young plants 

 the same treatment as to shade and water, with a 

 little lower temperature in excessive sun heat. {Mills 

 on Pine Apple, 56.) 



Watering. — During the consideration of the previ- 

 ous practices for keeping the air of the stove moist 

 and ventilated, many suggestions as to watering, ne- 

 cessarily, have been incorporated. The water to be 

 preferred is that afforded by rain, or, in its absence, 

 that from ponds. 



