158 
THE GREEN-HOUSE. 
potting next year. Oxalises, and some other 
of this class of plants, may probably require 
the same treatment. 
Bulbs generally should be well watered, 
and kept in a very light position until their 
growth is completed ; they then require to 
be dried off gradually by the withholding of 
water. 
Potting. — Free-growing plants, which re- 
quire frequently to be repotted, will probably 
need a second shift some time during April ; 
the ultimate size desired must be a guide — ■ 
and it is the only safe one — how far this 
operation may be indulged in. Many other 
plants, of less rapid growth than those just 
alluded to, may be potted with advantage in 
this month, before they commence making 
their summer growth. In fact, it may be made 
a rule to have the state of the roots of all the 
plants in a collection examined by the end of 
this month, those that need it being repotted, 
and others returned to the same pots, with such 
attention to drainage or the renewal of the soil, 
as they may severally require. For examining 
the roots of large plants — a matter of some 
difficulty — a useful contrivance, registered as 
the "West Kent Garden-pot," has been in- 
vented by Mr. Fry, of Blackheath. 
Chrysanthemums. — Some additional cut- 
tings of these had better be put in, or the old 
plants separated for stock. Those that were 
rooted in heat last month, must not be kept 
too long in the warmth, or they will become 
spindly and drawn. 
Primulas. — Some seed should be sown, for 
specimens to flower next spring. Treat the 
plants as detailed at p. 100, and preserve them 
in the green-house through the winter, and they 
will bloom well in the spring months. After 
they have done flowering they may be taken 
out and repotted, and will bloom again by the 
autumn. 
Melocacti. — Continue the liberal treatment 
recommended at p. 100, all through this month, 
then gradually adapt the plants again to the 
free dry air of a green-house. When they are 
not growing, the cooler and drier the atmo- 
sphere they are kept in, within moderate 
limits, the better for them. 
T 'lumber gias. — Sow a few of the different 
kinds for autumn flowering. They are very 
handsome when grown into fine specimen 
plants. 
Cuttings. — Most of the plants in this, and 
the other green-houses, may, if desirable, be 
propagated by means of cuttings. For general 
purposes, no better time of the year can be 
selected. See a more detailed account of the 
process, under Stove. 
Heath-house. — Ericas, fyc. — Continue to 
repot such of the specimen plants as may be 
going out of flower, and commencing to make 
their growth. The smaller plants which are 
about making growth, may also be potted with 
advantage. Keep in view what has been said 
about rough soil and perfect drainage. 
Watering. — The plants generally, except 
newly potted ones, require to have abundant 
waterings — it being of course a condition that 
their pots have been well drained. Heaths are 
benefited by being occasionally syringed with 
soft clear water ; but, of course, the plants in 
bloom are not to be thus treated, as the 
blossoms would become damaged. 
Temperature, <fc. — At this season of the 
year, the temperature becomes regulated by 
the presence or absence of the sun ; in either 
case it is desirable to have free ventilation 
night and day. 
Shading will be necessary if the weather is 
bright and sunny. The rationale of shading 
has been already explained. 
Nem Holland Plants. — These should be 
repotted as they go out of flower, and an 
annual growth, as perfect as possible, should 
be secured ; upon which, and its being pro- 
perly matured, their blooming next year very 
mainly depends. Some of the common and 
hardier kinds should be removed out of the 
house, and placed in pits or frames, where they 
will do fully as well, or better, than if kept in 
the house : and this will also allow more room 
for the tender and more delicate kinds. 
Camellia-House. — Camellias. — Continue 
the treatment detailed at p. 102. As the young 
shoots progress, which, if all goes on right, 
they will now do vigorously, take care that 
they are properly disposed on the plants ; 
and, if they appear crowded in any part, dis- 
place the weakest, and retain the strongest 
ones, and those which are more favourably 
placed. When any of the plants are become 
bare, or straggling, they may be cut well in, 
to cause them to produce a greater number of 
young shoots ; but this cutting must not be 
done unless the plants are in good health ; and 
it is as well, when there is necessity of doing 
it, to submit the roots to a very slight bottom 
heat. 
Temperature, §'c. — Continue an average 
temperature of 65 degrees while the plants are 
forming their young wood ; and a moist atmo- 
sphere is also very desirable. In syringing 
the plants, take care that the water does not 
run down the stems, to an extent sufficient to 
saturate the soil. No potted plants — except 
aquatics —thrive in soil saturated and soddened 
with water ; and few will even live in it. The 
atmosphere of this house being now that of a 
mild forcing-house, it must follow the same 
rule as regards ventilation, namely ; free ven- 
tilation must be avoided, and only sufficiently 
indulged in to prevent the temperature from 
becoming very much too hot. A considerable 
