192 CULTIVATION. 



abroad, and are afterwards kept up by methods 

 of propagation, about to be adverted to. 



When seeds are received from abroad, it is of 

 considerable importance to know^, not only what 

 latitude they come from, but also the elevation of 

 their natural habitat above the level of the sea. 

 The higher the elevation, the hardier is the plant. 

 Many plants v^^hich may be supposed to require 

 a hot-house, from the latitude whence they come, 

 may be found hardy enough for the green-house, 

 or even the open air, if they be seasonal* plants. 

 But for the natives of low lands of the torrid 

 zone, the usual process of raising them is as 

 follows : 



If possible, they should be sowed so as to 

 meet our summer, not our winter. The spring 

 months are most propitious for raising exotics. 

 For this purpose, light sandy loam, convenient 

 sized perfectly clean pots (open thirty-twos), 

 and a one-light hot-bed, should be prepared. 



* Seasonal plants are such as grow in one season and rest 

 in another. 



