22 
51 Philosophy of Hot-house Management. It is too gene- 
rally supposed that all plants, from countries between the tropics, 
may be placed together; and that, if a certain degree of heat be 
kept up, it is all that is necessary. This, however, is not the 
case; temperature is only one of the conditions requisite — light, 
air, moisture, are also essential ; and to know how to apportion 
these properly, it is necessary to study the habits of the plants 
in their native countries. Plants which grow in thick woods, 
impervious to the light of day, obviously require shade ; while 
others, natives of extensive open plains, will not thrive without 
abundant light; some need to be kept dry, others moist; and in 
short, though experience will, of course, ultimately lead garden- 
ers to pursue the proper course, much time and many valuable 
plants might be saved by studying the native habits of plants 
previously to attempting their culture. One point in the cul- 
ture of exotic plants, which few gardeners are aware of, and 
which is yet of paramount importance, is the necessity which 
exists of their having a season of absolute repose. Deciduous 
trees, growing in the open air, enjoy this when they lose their 
leaves; and even evergreens have a period when they cease to 
push out young shoots, and appear perfectly at rest. Most ex- 
otics are exposed in their native countries to alternate seasons 
of drought and moisture; remaining perfectly stationary during 
the first period, and growing rapidly during the second. This 
habit should be attended to in stoves; they should be forced 
rapidly at one season with both heat and moisture, and left in 
a comparatively neglected state during the other, almost with- 
out water, and in a very poor soil. Mesembrjanthemums, and 
most plants brought from South Africa, require this treatment. 
52 Pear Trees, to render Fruitful. Pear trees frequently 
blossom profusely, but fail to perfect fruit. A few days before 
the blossoms open, thin them with a pair of scissors, so as to 
leave not exceeding five or six of the strongest blossom buds 
near the centre of each cluster of flowers. This operation has 
the effect of diverting the sap to the flowers which remain, and 
gives them strength to set one or two pears in each cluster. 
Another mode is to defer pruning the young wood, until the 
blossoms are in the state described, and then shortening them 
to the required length. This also checks the progress of the 
sap, and enables the tree to set fruit freely. 
51, New Mo. Mag. 53, Card. Mag. 
