96 
OPERATIONS FOR MAY. 
the stove at this season ; for, however useful it may be in promoting the health of 
vegetation, its advantage is more than counteracted by the attendant diminution 
of temperature, which renders its impolicy obvious. In these observations we do 
not, of course, include those occasions on which the temperature is increased to 
such an extent, as not only to justify, but imperatively require the introduction of 
air. This must be regulated by the judicious cultivator. We only wish to subvert 
the system, so generally practised, of attempting to maintain an equability of 
temperature throughout the year, by the too copious admission of air in the 
summer, and the employment of powerful artificial heat during winter. 
The principles to be regarded in watering plants have been frequently incul- 
cated in this Magazine, and their repetition here would be useless. Discrimi- 
nation, or the adaptation of the quantity administered to the actual necessities of 
plants, is what the cultivator should especially exercise. Each individual subject 
must be examined, and watered separately and distinctly, according to its apparent 
appetences. 
Transplantation is a prominent item in the management of the flower-garden 
this month. Annuals, and half-hardy herbaceous plants, are now to be removed 
to their summer stations. Of the former, we may remark that, with the exception 
of a few particular sorts, all will derive great benefit from being transplanted. It 
will check the natural exuberance of their growth, and promote the production of 
flowers, at the same time furnishing the plants with a greater number of fibrous 
roots, and, by consequence, an increased capacity for enduring drought. 
Physiologists concur in the opinion that the roots of plants can absorb moisture 
or nutriment only by their extreme points or spongioles. The importance, there- 
fore, of preserving these uninjured in their removal, will be at once perceived. 
With annuals, an especial necessity exists for exercising this care ; as, imlike trees 
and shrubs, they have a very brief period to form new ones, and unless this be 
efibcted with great rapidity, their season of development and display passes 
before they are prepared for its commencement. Many of them, however, possess 
a long, tapering, central root, that has rarely more than one point, and by the 
abscission of the lower part of which, the plant will not be materially injured, 
while the operation will cause the emission of a great number of smaller and more 
useful lateral rootlets from all parts of its surface. 
Before any half-hardy annual or other plants are placed out in the open border^ 
every precaution should be taken to render them capable of sustaining the depres- 
sions of temperature, or even frosts, which frequently occur in this month. The 
best mode of effecting this, is to expose them to the atmosphere for a considerable 
time previous to their being planted, merely sheltering them from excessive rains 
or cold when requisite. Besides ensuring their safety, this practice will render 
their growth more healthy, and thus tend to stimulate or strengthen their produc- 
tive organs. 
