56 
GENERAL CULTURE OF STOVE PLANTS. 
the branch, and slightly twist it until the cut part lodges on the soil, peg it down, 
and cover it over with the mould. 
27. Suckers. — Many kinds are propagated this way, as Tillandsia, Agave, Tacca, 
Strelitzia^ Szc, &c. The only caution necessary to be given on this subject, is, not 
to remove the suckers until they have made good roots. They may be separated 
and treated as old plants. 
28. Seeds. — The proper time for sowing the seeds is in February and March, 
but when they have been received from abroad, the best way is to sow them 
directly, let it be what time of the year it may. We use a gentle hot-bed, and have 
been pretty successful in bringing up most that have reached us. 
Care must be taken not to over-water the pots in which the seeds are sown, 
nor allow them to become on the other hand parched with drought. A good plan 
is to cover the pots with a little moss, which will greatly facilitate their growth by 
keeping the soil somewhat damp. 
29. When the seedlings are sufficiently large, transplant them into thimble pots, 
carefully raising each with as much soil about the roots as possible. 
30. After the young plants are potted, replace them in a gentle hot-bed, and 
shade them until until they begin to grow ; then give them a little air daily, and 
finally remove them to the stove, and treat them as the old plants. 
31. All those which grow up spindling and weak, may be improved by pinching off 
the tops : this will induce them to throw out side shoots and become bushy plants. 
32. Division of the roots. — The Orchideoe, and many other kinds, are propagated 
by this plan. All that is required, is to do it carefully, so as not to mutilate the 
roots of tender plants more than is necessary, and after potting the divided parts, 
to be careful not to supply with much water, until the wound has healed, or the 
roots are liable to rot. 
Thus much for the culture of the stove plants at this time ; we shall now resume 
the subject of heating hot-houses, which we commenced vol. i. p. 130. Our readers 
may remember that we recommended common flues to be used for greenhouses. 
I 
because of the small portion of artificial heat required for them, but in plant stoves 
