196 CULTIVATION. 



give water immediate!}^, plunge the pots in the 

 bed, and, when the moisture is exhaled from 

 their surfaces, cover them closely with the strik- 

 ing-glasses, to prevent the entrance of air. These 

 glasses are necessary, because neither the cuttings 

 nor the soil they are in should be exposed to the 

 ordinary changes of the atmosphere. They re- 

 quire perfect repose while they are only dependent 

 on their own inherent energies to furnish new 

 organs to supply the place of those from which 

 they have been separated. The sun*s heat may 

 be serviceable, but not his direct rays ; brown 

 paper shades should therefore be used for each 

 glass in the middle of the day. Moisture will 

 collect from time to time within the glasses ; in 

 which cases they should be taken off for a few 

 minutes, wiped dry, and put on again. 



When cuttings thus managed have taken root, 

 and shew by their growth that this has suffi- 

 ciently taken place (for some will occasionally 

 produce shoots before they have roots), they 

 may be separated, potted, and treated as already 

 directed for seedlings. 



