48 
OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
Much may be done towards the efficient preservation of plants, that from various causes may 
unavoidably be prevented from being placed in their final situation at the most proper period, by 
shifting them into larger pots and plunging them in some suitable material ; by such means, 
preventing the whole of their root from being injured by drought or scorching sun. 
Any climbers or flowering shrubs that have, in pursuance of last month’s directions, been 
wholly or partially left unpruned, must receive attention, and not be allowed to remain 
uncompleted beyond the end of the month. 
In the in-door departments the various work connected with plants is multitudinous, and as 
varied. Potting them, however, in the most extended sense of the term, is the chief business. 
The varied circumstances under which they are grown, render it almost impossible, in a short 
monthly calendar, to give in detail directions applicable to the different cases in which the 
operation is performed. Neither indeed is it necessary, nor would it be scarcely palatable, as it 
would of necessity be a repetition of directions already given in our pages, to which for particular 
detail we must request a reference. 
In a general potting, the inmates of the stove usually first command attention, and general 
rules which apply to the shifting of these, as well as pot-plants in general, are such as direct that 
no plant should be shifted before some evidence of returning energy is manifested ; that none 
requiring extended room for their roots can properly, and without injury, unless in peculiar 
instances, have such room withheld after they have grown to a certain extent. In addition to 
which, it must be borne in mind that the extent of room given to the roots of any plant must be 
regulated according to its nature, the size of the specimen, and other circumstances under which 
it is cultivated. 
After plants are potted, they must be encouraged to grow, by being subjected to a higher 
temperature, frequent syringings, as well as abundant supplies of water to their roots, acccording 
to circumstances. These last directions, though strictly applicable to stove plants, materially 
apply to those of the greenhouse also ; in the latter, water must be used with more discretion, or 
injury from dampness will extensively prevail. 
In training plants, particularly climbers, constant vigilance should be exercised, and suitable I 
supports ought to be furnished to each, from the earliest commencement of their growth. The tem- 
perature of the Orchidece house must now be sensibly increased, and moisture, in the various forms in 
which it is supplied, should be given more amply. The potting of the plants, where not finished, 
must continue to be pursued according to previous directions. 
The many and numerous kinds of half-hardy plants, maintained to occupy and decorate the 
beds of the flower-garden, must be removed from their winter quarters, if in these they exhibit 
a tendency to grow, and must be gradually inured to the open air. Continual attention to the 
propagation of these, where necessary, potting off such as have been preserved in cutting-pots 
through the winter, and inducing them when potted to form substantial plants. 
An immense number of kinds of seeds, according to various circumstances, will this month 
require sowing ; many must continue to be sown successionaliy ; those of various stove and green- 
house plants should be sown agreeably to their several natures ; and many intended for the open 
border will require sowing where they are intended to grow and flower. Some for the same 
situation should be sown in seed-pans, or on a slight hotbed, so as to be more early than those on 
the open border. Where the various seeds are ascertained to bs perfectly good, — which is a point 
that should always be discovered, — we strongly recommend thin sowing wherever practicable. 
We need scarcely refer to the necessity of the utmost vigilance being exercised in the sup- 
pression of the various pests of insects that too extensively, at this period, begin to make their 
appearance. 
