Feb.] the HOT-HOUSE. I77 
begin at one end, and open a kind of trench, by taking out some of 
the bark and carrying it to the otherj this done, begin at said 
trench, and with a fork, dig and work up the bark quite to the 
bottom, taking care to break the cakes or lumps; mix all the parts 
well together, and fill up at last with that taken out of the first 
opening. Having finished, let the top be made level, and imme- 
diately plunge the pots again to their rims as before. This work 
is so very necessary that it should not on any consideration be 
omitted at the time above mentioned; that is to say, if the bark 
has much declined in its heat. 
The bed being thus treated, it will soon renew its heat, and 
retain the same well for six weeks or thereabouts. 
At the expiration of that period, or sometime in March or begin- 
ning of April, the bark will require to be stirred up again, and 
refreshed with about one-third, or at least one-fourth part of new 
tan; after this it will retain a proper degree of heat till the fruit 
is ripe. — See March and April. 
The bark-bed wherein the succession pine-plants are plunged, 
should also be examined now with good attention; and if the heat 
is found to be much decreased, the bed should be treated in the 
manner above directed. 
Watering the Pines. 
The fruiting pine-apple plants should now have moderate refresh- 
ments of water, provided there be a good heat in the bark-bed: and 
when there is a proper degree of that and moderate moisture 
together, it will make the young fruit swell very fast. 
But in watering these plants, be careful to give it moderately at 
each time. The rule is this: let the earth in the pots which contain 
the plants, be kept just a little moist in a middling degree; and if 
this is observed, the plants and fruit will thrive. 
The succession pine-plants, that is, those which are to fruit next 
year, must also be refreshed now and then with water; in watering 
these, let the same rule be observed as just mentioned above. 
Remember also to give water at times to the younger succession 
pines, consisting of the last year's crowns and suckers. 
In watering the pine-plants in general, you should still be cau- 
tious to let none of it, or but as little as possible, fall into the centre 
of the plants, where, being apt to lodge, it would prove detrimental, 
in some degree, to these exotics at this season. 
Of the Various kinds of Plants in the Hot-House. 
In some hot-houses there are kept many other sorts of curious 
exotics, besides the pines, both of the succulent and woody kinds, 
&c., and as they are all tender, being from the hottest parts of the 
world, the same degrees of heat as recommended for the pine, 
will, generally speaking, be suitable for them; however, there are 
some of those which, to do them the greatest possible justice, 
require a somewhat greater degree of heat than the pine-apple, and 
