206 



THE MIXED GREENHOUSE. 



the mother plant when in a gi'owing state will, in general, be most 

 favourable for the growth of the cuttings. There are, however, some 

 variations, amounting nearly, but not quite, to exceptions. Most species 

 of Erica, Georgina (Dahlia), and Pelargonium, strike better when sup- 

 plied with rather more heat than is requisite for the growth of these 

 plants in greenhouses. The Myrtle tribe and CameUias require rather 

 less, and in general it may be observed, that to give a lesser portion of 

 heat, and of every thing else proper for plants in their rooted and grow- 

 ing state, is the safest conduct in respect to cuttings of hgneous plants. 

 Cuttings of deciduous hardy trees taken oif in autumn should not, of 

 course, be put into heat till spring, but should be kept doimant, hke the 

 mother tree." 



Newly potted off cuttings, which by the way should be put into very 

 small pots, should be carefully shaded, and not too soon exposed to the 

 air ; those that are drawn or have run up tall or weak, should be topped, 

 that they may begin to grow stocky, which if neglected at the beginning 

 cannot be well rectified afterwards. Occasional shiftings will be neces- 

 sary as they advance in growth, but this can only be correctly determined 

 by frequently examining the state of their roots, by turning them out of 

 the pots. 



GENERAL TREATMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS WHEN OUT OF DOORS. 



The majority of the genera which we have classed under the above 

 head may with perfect safety be placed in the open air from the middle of 

 June till the earher part of September. The advantage they derive from 

 this mode of cultm-e is, that they can enjoy a greater share of room, air, 

 light, and the genial rains and dews of summer. There are a few genera, 

 however, in our enumeration, that will be better kept in the house during 

 the whole season, and these are Pimelea^ Protea, Chironia, Roella, Antho- 

 cercis, Clerodmdron, and Lechenaultia. The situation best adapted for 

 the summer residence of greenhouse plants is one that is dry, not over 

 shaded, and sheltered from the winds. A dry compost floor of gravel or 

 coal ashes is the best to stand them on, but they should not be plunged in 

 any medium excepting either coarse stony gravel, or various species of 

 moss, either of which T^lll admit of the superfluous water passing off 

 through them, which plunging in the ground would not do. Besides, if 

 such plants were plimged in the ground, their roots would escape through 

 the bottom of the pots and shoot downwards, thus causing an exceedincr 



