THE GREEN-HOUSE. 223 



excellent because a perfectly safe indication of the 

 progi'ess of the season. Previous to this time, 

 therefore, every preparation should be made for 

 this necessary work : the different descriptions of 

 soil and compost, pots, prop»sticks, &c. should 

 all be in readiness ; as well as the place where 

 the plants are to stand for the summer. 



It is material that the shifting", which is a 

 scene of disorder, should be got speedily out of 

 hand. The usual practice is to shift the plants 

 as they are taken out of the house, and when 

 done, watered, pruned, and tied up, are carried 

 to their summer station. That station should be 

 a sheltered, rather than a shady spot ; an east or 

 north aspect is most suitable ; and if where they 

 can be seen, or be ornamental, the better. When 

 the house is cleared of the plants, it should receive 

 a thorough cleaning ; the grape vines, if there 

 be any trained to the rafters, dressed and tied 

 up ; and the vacant shelves again furnished with 

 hot- house plants, tender annual and other showy 

 flowers, raised and now ready for the purpose. 



While the plants are in their summer station, 



