57 



but as either extreme is dangerous, care must 

 be taken to use no more water than is evidently 

 necessary, for the health of the plants : for 

 if used to that degree, that the earth becomes 

 sour, and deprived of its vegetative powers, the 

 consequences may be rather unpleasant. 



By thus setting the plants in the greenhouse, 

 it tends to prevent the encrease of insects ; also 

 their too luxuriant growth during the summer 

 months ; and by hardening, and ripening the 

 wood, renders them strong and firm, and there- 

 fore more likely to bloom ; which is, in these 

 ornamental plants, the principal object of the 

 cultivator ; besides, that they are not so liable 

 to be injured by the severities of the suc- 

 ceeding winter. 



section v. 



Towards the latter end of August, the natu- 

 ral heat of the atmosphere will be on the de- 

 cline ; therefore, except on particular fine days, 

 when a small portion of air may be given, the 

 lights must be kept perfectly close ; but more 

 especially so at night : as we have frequently 

 at this season heavy chilling dews, and are also, 



