146 ' HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. {^May. 



easiest culture ; it is with pleasure that we recommend a 

 few of the grand and the novel, which are faithfully de- 

 scribed in the general list given next month. The bottom of 

 every pot must be covered with an inch of pot-shreds^ or 

 rough gravel for drainage. 



MAY. 



Very few directions for this department remain to be 

 given ] except for shifting plants, and a few observations on 

 those that are most desirable for the hot-house; which we 

 will do in this month, considering May and June the best 

 months of the year for that operation. 



The days and nights will be very mild by this time, and 

 the sashes in every favorable day should be opened, both in 

 front and top, so that the plants may be inured to the open 

 air, which they will be exposed to by the end of the month. 

 Leave in the beginning of the month the top sashes a little 

 open every mild night, and gradually, as the heat increases, 

 leave the front sashes and doors open. Continue to syringe 

 them at least every alternate night, and, if possible, every 

 night ; and give them all, according to their respective wants, 

 liberal supplies of water every day. Absorption among hot- 

 house plants is as great during this month as in any period 

 of the year. 



OF REPOTTING PLANTS, &c. 



It is our candid opinion that this and next month are the 

 best periods for shifting or repotting all or most of hot-house 

 plants; the end of August being the time always adopted 

 around Philadelphia for that operation (and then they are 

 done indiscriminately). We will assign a few reasons for 

 our practice. 



Firstj that it is not congenial to the nature of these plants 

 to have their roots surrounded with fresh soil when they are 

 becoming inactive; secondhj^ that there is not a sufficiency 



