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The season which I think most proper for 

 shifting hot-house plants, is about the middle 

 or end of April ; at which time I have always 

 made it a ride to begin that operation, with the 

 plants under my care ; having found it conduce 

 far more to their advantage, than if done much 

 earlier or later. 



If done earlier (though some hot-house plants 

 may be said to be in a state of growth for the 

 greater part of the year) the generality of them 

 will be found dormant ; and therefore will not 

 have the power, to establish themselves suffici- 

 ently in the fresh earth to prevent a great part 

 of their leaves falling off, and the whole plant 

 acquiring a sickly appearance ; and on the 

 other hand if done much later, most of them 

 will be in a vigorous state, and it will require 

 infinite care, and encrease of labour to keep 

 them properly shaded, else the intense influ- 

 ence of the sun on them, at an advanced season, 

 will have, though a different cause, nearly the 

 same effect ; and reduce them to fully as dis- 

 agreeable a state as the former case. But if 

 taken, soon after they have made the first effort 

 forthe seasons' growth, the fibres being setinmo- 

 tion, and not having a top full of young tender 



