310 
THE HOT-HOUSE. 
Fruiting Pines. 
It is on a due proportion of air admitted into the hot-house that 
the goodness of the pine plants in a great measure depends. The 
want of it will cause them to grow with long leaves and weak 
stems, which plants never produce good fruit. 
On the other hand, air admitted in too great a quantity, or at 
improper times, will injure the plants, and cause them to grow 
yellow and sickly. 
In the depth of winter, during the time that the plants are nearly 
in a state of inaction, the hot-house will require but very little air; 
yet it will absolutely be necessary to take every favourable oppor- 
tunity to let out the foul air, and admit fresh, when it can be done 
with safety to the plants; the letting down the glasses a little way, 
even for a. few minutes, in the middle of the day, is of more impor- 
tance than inexperienced persons can conceive, especially when 
there is a little sun and a mild wind. But at this season, particu- 
larly in the advanced part of the month, to have regard to the words 
give air on the botanical thermometers, is not necessary, for a little 
may with much safety be given, although the spirits should not 
rise higher than 62° of Fahrenheit, or six or eight degrees above 
temperate. 
It will be necessary to continue a regular degree of heat in the 
house, as directed last month, by keeping up a fire-heat every even- 
ing, night, and morning, but more particularly in severe weather; 
and a constant heat in the bark-bed. As the heat of the weather 
increases, and the sun becomes powerful, the morning fires, in par- 
ticular, must be regulated accordingly. 
The fruiting-plants will now generally show fruit; they must 
therefore have very particular care, and not be suffered to want a 
sufficiency of bottom heat, air, or a reasonable portion of water. 
Examine the bark-bed, and see if there is a proper heat, for upon 
that depends the success of having handsome and full-sized fruit. 
The great article is to preserve a. free groivth in the fruit from their 
first appearance to the time of their maturity; this must be done 
by keeping the bark-bed to a proper degree of heat; that is, it 
should be quite lively, for a faint heat will not answer the purpose; 
therefore, on examining the bed, if you find it much decreased, let 
preparation be made for its revival as soon as possible. 
Provide for that purpose a quantity of new bark from the tan- 
ners the beginning of this month. The middle-sized bark is to be 
chosen, and such as has been at least a fortnight or three weeks 
out of the tan -vats. 
The quantity of fresh bark necessary to provide at this time, 
should be equal to near one-third of what the bark-pit will contain. 
