THE 'FORCING GARDEN. 



G87 



the arrangement of the wliole. When the process of plunging 

 is finished, clean out the interior of the house, and leave it in 

 a neat and orderly state. Go over the plants with a sharp 

 knife, and holding the pieces of matting which were used to 

 tie up the plants between the edge of the knife and the thumb, 

 cut them through, and remove them, regulating any leaves 

 that may happen to lie in an irregular position, drawing the 

 hand gently up between them, they will then fall down in 

 their natural position ; and this being done, give the whole a 

 good watering at their roots, and in the course of another day 

 or two, if the weather ])e clear and dry, give the plants a good 

 washing over-head from the syringe, to clear them of the dust 

 or filth which they may have contracted during their shifting. 



The plants will now be beginning to grow ; the temperature 

 should therefore be kept up to 70°, the times of regulation 

 being generally at six o'clock in the morning and at eight or 

 nine at night. As the weather will now be getting more tem- 

 perate, and the plants be in a state of active vegetation, air 

 must be admitted during the forenoon of every day copiously. 

 The health of the plants now depends upon a free admission of 

 air, plenty of water at their roots, and frequently over-head, 

 with a steady degree of temperature. The thermometer in the 

 hottest sunshine should not be allowed to exceed 90°, but be 

 kept at and under that point, by the admission of plenty of 

 air. As the plants get established in their pots, and are grow- 

 ing rai^idly, every third or fourth day, water should be given 

 at their roots in ordinary quantities ; and if occasionally richly 

 impregnated with sheep-dung, the plants will be thereby greatly 

 benefited. Attention should now be particularly paid to the 

 regular steaming of the house every morning and evening, by 

 pouring water upon the flues and floors of the house ; indeed, 

 a moist and high temperature from this time till autumn, 

 seems to be the most congenial atmosphere for pines to live in, 

 and in such a climate few insects will visit them. 



SUCCESSION PINE-PLANTS. 



This department will also now require a similar regulation, 

 as above direc ted for the nursing-pit. The plants being taken 



