49 



edges, and place the pots in the hotbed where the 

 tubers are ; but it is far the better way to plant only 

 one in a thumb-pot, from half an inch to an inch 

 down, and close to the side, instead of in the middle, 

 as the pot touching the plant assists the striking, 

 though the shoots that are thus broken out will strike 

 almost anywhere ; of course the operation is the 

 same all through. You must go over the whole of the 

 tubers daily, and take off all that are ready, taking 

 especial care that the number or mark the tuber 

 bears must be attached to all that comer off it, which 

 is best done by wooden labels, neatly cut to adapt 

 them to the small and next-sized pots ; two and a half 

 inches long, half an inch broad, and the eighth of an 

 inch thick, pointed, to go into the pot, are the best 

 size, for they will do even for a time after the plant 

 is out in the ground, as well as for all the time it is 

 in the pot. Those shoots, which are put into the 

 hotbed to strike, will root generally in a few days, 

 and begin to grow. They must, however, be watched 

 daily* and the glasses kept all over them, and air 

 must be given by tilting the sashes at the back of 

 the frame, with a stone or piece of wood : this must 

 be done to let out the steam, even when air is not 

 required, The most proper way to strike these cut- 

 tings is, to prepare a hotbed on purpose, and that in 

 which the tubers are should be kept for them only. 

 However, it may happen that the grower has but one 



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