22 
ERECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSES. 
with some few exceptions, will probably be found pretty near the 
mark. • 
All plants whose branches are fragile, and roots of a fine thready 
fibrous texture, with general habits like Erica, as Diosma, Ander- 
sonia, Epacris, &c. will require the same soil (peat earth) and very 
similar treatment to Cape Heaths. 
Those whose wood and general habits partially differ, and whose 
roots are of a stronger texture, as Acacia, Ardisia, Stenocarpus, &c., 
will require a portion of sandy loam,—in many cases about equal 
parts; and where the habits, &c. differ materially from the heath, only 
a small portion of peat earth will be required, and the compost may 
be made a little rich, by the addition of well rotted dung. 
Almost all Cape and other bulbs, as Sparaxis, &c., thrive best in a 
mixture of light rich sandy loam, leaf mould, and a little peat. 
Shrubby and herbaceous plants, vyith luxuriant roots and branches, 
as Myrtus, &c., require rich loam, lightened with leaf mould. Plants 
with powerful roots and but slender heads as Veronica Senecio, &c., 
require a light sandy soil, mixed with a small portion of leaf mould 
and very rotten dung. 
Never pot the plants in a soil too wet; it is better to keep the soil 
rather dry than otherwise. Nor ever sift the soil, but chop and break 
it as fine as possible, because sifting deprives it of the fibrous par¬ 
ticles, amongst which the roots grow very rapidly. Always in pot¬ 
ting give a good drainage with broken potsherds. 
In the beginning of June the plants may be removed to their sum¬ 
mer station, out of doors. Always place them in an aspect screened 
from the effects of the mid-day sun, but yet where they will be able to 
receive the sun morning and evening : whilst in this situation they 
must be supplied with water as often as they require it. 
In the beginning of September again examine them throughout, 
and pot all that require it, and top-dress the remainder : by no means 
let this be done later than the middle of September, or the plants will 
not have time to recover before winter. 
Not later than the first week in October, prepare to remove them 
them back into the greenhouse. Clean and properly tie them up, 
previous to setting them on the stage. 
After they are removed again to the house, give them abundance 
of air, day and night, and continue gradually to decrease it as the 
weather becomes colder. 
Propagation. —The propagation of greenhouse plants must be per¬ 
formed at different times of the year, according to the nature and 
habits of the plants, and the state of growth in which the cuttings 
will strike with the greatest freedom. 
