tHE GREEN-HOUSE. 



213 



that trees or shrubs cultivated for their blossoms re- 

 quire just as much pruning as when the blossoms are 

 to be succeeded by edible fruits. Conservatory trees 

 therefore must be pruned just as regularly every au- 

 tumn or spring, as are fruit trees. 



The end of May or beginning of J une is the usual 

 time of exposing the plants of the conservatory fully 

 to the weather. Previously to that, the front sashes 

 should have been removed for some weeks, and air 

 admitted by the roof sashes night and day for at least 

 a w^eek. This hardens the plants by degrees, and 

 prepares them for a full exposure to the weather. 



About the middle of September, or as soon as it 

 is thought necessary to house the other green-house 

 plants, the roof-lights of the conservatory should be 

 put in their places ; the ends may remain open a week 

 or ten days, and the front a fortnight or three weeks 

 longer according to the weather. Afterwards, when 

 the house is shut up every night, the greatest care 

 must be had to ventilate freely every day ; for the 

 damps of this foggy season are very apt to generate 

 mouldiness on the soil, and on the leaves and shoots 

 not freely exposed to the light and air. 



A conservatory after being planted a few years will 

 require the liberal use of the knife to keep the more 

 woody plants within due bounds ; most of the shrubs 

 will require to be cut in and pruned so as to keep 

 them clothed to the surface, and the trees will require 

 to be headed down to the tops of their stems. Both 

 trees and shrubs will occasionally require to be cut 



