146 HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. [May. 
easiest culture ; it is with pleasure that we recommend a 
few of the grand and the novel, which are faithfully de- 
scribed in the general list given next month. The bottom of 
every pot must be covered with an inch of pot-shreds, or 
rough gravel for drainage. 
MAY, 
Very few directions for this department remain to be 
given ; except for shifting plants, and a few observations on 
those that are most desirable for the hot-house ; which we 
will do in this month, considering May and June the best 
months of the year for that operation. 
The days and nights will be very mild by this time, and 
the sashes in every favourable day should be opened, both in 
front and top, so that the plants may be inured to the open 
air, which they will be exposed to by the end of the month. 
Leave in the beginning of the month the top sashes a little 
open every mild night, and gradually, as the heat increases, 
leave the front sashes and doors open. Continue to syringe 
them at least every alternate night, and, if possible, every 
night ; and give them all, according to their respective wants, 
liberal supplies of water every day. Absorption among hot- 
house plants is as great during this month as in any period 
of the year. 
OF RErOTTING PLANTS, ETC. 
It is our candid opinion that this and next month arc the 
best periods for shifting or repotting all or most of hot-house 
plants; the end of August being the time always adopted 
around Philadelphia for that operation (and then they are 
done indiscriminately). "We will assign a few reasons for our 
practice. 
First, that it is not congenial to the nature of these plants 
to have their roots surrounded with fresh soil when they are 
becoming inactive ; secondly, that there is not a sufficiency 
