EXOTIC FLOWERS AND PLANTS. 203 



bed has subsided, when the plants may be, at 

 first, half plunged ; and, when the heat is still 

 further decreased, let in as deep as their rims. 

 Some very successful cultivators never plunge 

 the pots, but merely set them on the bed. 



When a plant is turned out of a pot, the roots 

 are found in a matted state round the outside ; 

 the usual practice is to cut these away with a 

 knife ; but it is only very free growing sorts that 

 can bear such treatment; a better way is, to 

 loosen this tissue of fibres gently, so that the 

 new soil may get among and preserve them for 

 immediate service. 



After the plants are shifted, and again set in 

 their places in the pit, the house should be kept 

 rather close, moist, and at a temperature of not 

 less than 60° Fahrenheit. The management, 

 afterwards, consists only in duly watering, giving 

 air, &c. till Midsummer, when fire heat is dis- 

 continued; the pots (if plunged) are lifted out of 

 the bark and set on the surface for a few days pre- 

 vious to removing them (if the summer weather 

 be confirmed) into the green-house for a few 



