188 
CULTURAL HINTS, 
a greater additional present vigour than the former. All, however, are injuriously 
affected, inasmuch as the season of growth is prolonged, and so much crude matter 
conveyed into the system, that it is impossible by any after management to get the 
wood sufficiently indurated and matured before winter. And there is another evil 
to contend with : to ripen wood properly there must be no sudden stoppage of the 
nourishment needful to continue and support growth, but only a gradual abate- 
ment ; for mature wood cannot be obtained through violence. Here, however, 
those roots by the agency of which a redundant development has been produced 
and supported, must be removed before any check can be placed on further 
extension ; and as the roots within the pot will be inadequate to meet the suddenly 
increased demand upon them, defoliation will succeed at the very time when the 
leaves are most needful to the ripening of the shoots ; and in no very limited 
number of hard- wooded species it is either the cause of death, or of a mutilation 
by the succeeding loss of large branches, which is almost equivalent to death, since 
it renders the plant of no value as a specimen. 
If the legitimate object of exposing greenhouse plants in summer be adhered to, 
then the necessity of providing a proper floor to place them upon is most markedly 
evident. By the legitimate object of exposure we mean, turning out those plants 
which have formed their growth in the greenhouse about the latter end of July, to 
assist in ripening their wood. It is obvious that this design would be entirely 
frustrated by setting the pots upon any floor that would tempt the roots to push 
into its substance, as a second growth would be encouraged. Nor is the pre- 
caution less needful for hardy plants in pots, and especially for those plants which 
are intended for forcing. If they are to be exposed to the frosts of winter, the 
sooner and more completely the wood is ripened the less injury will they be likely 
to sustain ; and if they are wanted for forcing, they will be better prepared for 
making an early growth. 
The preparation of a suitable floor, then, is as much a matter of necessity for 
pot-plants in the open air, as it is for those kept in houses. The place devoted to 
them should display perfect neatness, and some pretensions to arrangement. A 
good floor may be formed of asphalte or some concrete, slate or tiles. There should 
be a slight inclination between the rows or beds of plants, to enable water to pass 
away readily. A very little slope is sufficient for this purpose ; and more than 
enough would throw the pots too much off the level to admit of effectual 
waterings. 
We have seen very neatly arranged reserve gardens for exposing greenhouse 
plants in summer at several places, divided into compartments with wood, slate, 
and in some cases brick sides, the depth being proportioned to the size of the pots 
they are intended for, and the floor formed of some of the materials just recom- 
mended. None of these compartments should be broader than a man can con- 
veniently reach to the middle from each side ; and paths of sufficient breadth must 
be left between them, to admit of watering and other work, without endangering 
