May.'] HOT-HOUSE — op EEPOTTING, ETC. 



147 



of heat naturally to quicken them to an active state when 

 they are encouraged; and, tliirdli/^ being thus in new soil 

 while dormant, they have a yellow and sickly aspect until 

 they begin to grow; and the foliage thus deprived of its 

 natural vigor, will not appear so healthful again : whereas, 

 if they are shifted or repotted in this or next month, at 

 which season they are between two stages of growth, 

 they immediately, on receiving fresh assistance, and by the 

 increasing heat of the summer, make new growths, are 

 perfectly ripened before the approach of winter, and never 

 lose that vernal appearance they have attained. These arc 

 our reasons, acquired from a close practice and observation, 

 and are not influenced by the doings of others which are so 

 much aside. No practical operator especially, nor, in fiict, 

 any individual, ought to be governed by custom in regard 

 to the treatment of plants, without having any idea as to 

 why and wherefore, fonnded on the principles of nature, 

 and governed by her unerring results. 



As many are desirous of having a knowledge of plants 

 before they order them, and likewise which are the finest 

 flowerers and their general character, especially those who 

 are at a great distance, and seldom have the privilege of 

 seeing what is most desirable, our descriptions will be limit- 

 ed, but still will convey some accurate idea of the article 

 described. 



Acacia%. Several of these are desirable in the hot-house 

 for the grandeur of their foliage, beauty of flower, and a few 

 of them as specimens of valuable medicinal plants. A, 

 Houstonij now AnnesUia Houstdniy is one of the most mag- 

 nificent of the Mimosa tribe, blooming from August to 

 November in large terminal spikes of a crimson color, stamens 

 very long and beautiful, leaves bipinnated in pairs. A. 

 gr audi flora, likewise given to Anneslhiay and similar to the 

 former in color, has very large compound bipinnate leaves, 

 with from twenty to forty pairs. A. Catechu, flowers yel- 

 low, wood spiny, leaves bipinnated, about ten pairs. The 

 inner wood of this tree is of a brown color, from which the 

 Catechu used in medicine is prepared. It is disputed wheth- 

 er A. vera or A. ardbica produces the gum Arabic. We are 

 inclined to think it is the latter, which grows principally on 

 the Atlas mountains. The gum exudes spontaneously from 

 the bark of the tree in a soft half fluid state. There are 



