300 



THE MOIST STOVE. 



SO small in comparison to the wants of the plant it has to support, ix is 

 natural to suppose that it requires to be changed or augmented, and if 

 this be not done in due time the plants must suffer for want of food. 

 Besides, the mould around the roots becomes, from one cause or other, 

 when left long undisturbed, sour and coagulated, and the plant becomes 

 unable to draw its proper nourishment from it, and of course declines, 

 and becomes either a nuisance in the collection or else perishes altogether. 



The operation of shifting differs not from that already laid down in 

 respect to the various sections of greenhouse plants, and need not be 

 repeated here. The soil should be richer and more turfy or porous than 

 is used for other plants, the surface containing the grass or other vegetable 

 matter growing on it : as the supply of water is greater, it v^ill find a 

 more ready escape through it than if it were as compact and finely pul- 

 verized as soils usually are. 



As the process of shifting goes on, a careful examination should take 

 place for the detection of insects which may find shelter under the mat- 

 ting with which they are tied, or in the cliffs of the branches and in the 

 cracks of the bark : these places should be examined, and washed with a 

 thick lather of soft-soap and sulphur ; not that there is much efficacy in 

 either, but the friction will do its share, and the soap will cleanse the 

 plants and soften the bark, while its adhesive property will retain a 

 quantity of the sulphur upon the branches, which, igniting by the heat 

 of the sun, will burn off mildew, and probably the red spider also, should 

 either exist on them. The plants should be all neatly tied up as they 

 may require it, that is, those of flexible habits ; but other plants if well 

 grown will rarely require support, and certainly will look much better 

 without a prop than with one. The wood-work of the house should be 

 washed clean at this time, as should also be the inner surface of the glass, 

 and every part of the building made neat and clean for the approaching 

 summer. 



"Water, air, and judicious pruning are all that is required during sum- 

 mer, unless it may happen that the greenhouse be emptied for two or 

 three months during summer, when the hardiest of the stove plants may be 

 set upon the stages of it, which will considerably thin the stove, much to 

 the benefit of the plants. But we have elsewhere observed that it is not 

 a practice to be recommended, at least where choice greenhouse plants are 

 grown. Many of the more dwarf stove plants, however, may be accom- 

 modated for three or four months during summer in a close frame or pit, 

 where they will be quite as warm as if kept in the stove. 



Fire-heat should be gradually lessened from the beginning of April till 



