374 
EXTRACTS—FLORICULTURE. 
which only require to be protected from frosts in this country. They are, there¬ 
fore, kept under glass during winter, but no fire is requisite, unless a strong frost 
is expected during the night. In winter they should have plenty of air during 
fine days, as early in the day as the weather will permit, and the house should 
be shut up very early in the afternoon, if the weather be cold. When the wea¬ 
ther continues damp and wet, a little fire is requisite to expel the damp, for 
greenhouse plants are more likely to be injured by damp than cold. The plants 
should be looked over every day, to take off any dead leaves, and to water those 
that are dry. This operation should take place early in the forenoon, and if the 
surface of the mould in the pots becomes green, it should be removed with a flat 
stick, but not so deep as to injure the roots, when a little fresh earth should be 
laid upon them. Towards spring they require a more plentiful supply of air and 
water, and if no frost be apprehended some of the sashes should be left a little 
open all night, so that the air may be gradually admitted as the weather advan¬ 
ces towards summer, until the time of setting the plants out of doors. In some 
seasons this may be requisite about the middle of May, in others not until the 
end. Calm cloudy weather is the best time for setting them out, the most shel¬ 
tered situation should be chosen, a bed of ashes being previously prepared for 
them. There are various opinions as to the best time of shifting greenhouse 
plants into fresh pots and mould; we think the earliest spring time should be 
preferred. Some shift them before they are set out of doors, others when they 
first set them out, some do this in the autumn, which of all times is the most im¬ 
proper. The pots should always be well drained with shreds. If any of the 
plants have grown too straggling or tall, they should be cut back early in 
the spring, that they may become good bushy plants before autumn. In sum¬ 
mer, while the plants are out of doors, they should be regularly supplied with 
water, in dry weather, as late as possible in the afternoon. The mould for pot¬ 
ting should never be sifted, but chopped up finely with a spade with the turf. 
This keeps the soil light and loose, it allows the roots of the plants to spread and 
the water to penetrate, while on the other haud sifted mould hardens aud be¬ 
comes sour. Cuttings of greenhouse plants require putting in at various seasons. 
If they are to be ripened cuttings, they should be planted early in the spring ; 
bnt if young, the time to plant them is when the shoots have grown a sufficient 
length for that purpose. In potting off plants raised from cuttings, care is re. 
quisite not to injure the fibres. Put them in small pots first, and increase the 
size as they grow; but be careful not to put them in too large, or to give too 
much water. Sow the seeds early in the spring, place in a little bottom heat, 
and pot the young plants separately when they have grown an inch high.— 
George Don , on Gard. and Bot. 
