92 
CULTURE OF THE STOVE PLANTS. 
when they may receive a little air. Water must be administered with 
caution. 
23. When they have struck root, pot them off into small pots filled 
with light sandy loam and leaf mould, replace them in the frame until 
they have begun to grow, then gradually expose them to a more 
gentle temperature, and finally remove them to the stove and treat 
them as the old plants. 
24. Layers —Many sorts also strike well by layers, as Combretum. 
&c. &c. this is performed when the wood is half ripe; make an incision 
on the upper surface of the branch,, and slightly twist it until the cut 
part lodges on the soil, peg it down and cover it over with the mould. 
25. Suckers .—Many kinds are propagated this way, as Tillandsia, 
Agave, Tacca, Strelitzia, &c. &c. The only caution necessary to 
be given on this subject, is, not to remove the suckers until they 
have made good roots. They may be separated and treated as old 
plants. 
26. Seeds .—The proper time for sowing the seeds is in February 
and March, hut when they have been received from abroad, the best 
way is to sow them directly, let it he what time of the year it may. 
We use a gentle hotbed, and have been pretty successful in bringing 
up most that have reached us. 
Care must be taken not to overwater the pots in which the seeds 
are sown, nor allow them to become on the other hand parched with 
drought. A good plan is to cover the pots with a little moss, which 
will greatly facilitate their growth, by keeping the soil somewhat 
damp. 
27. When the seedlings are sufficiently large, transplant them into 
thimble pots, carefully raising each with as much soil about the roots 
as possible. 
28. After the young plants are potted, replace them in a gentle 
hotbed, and shade them until they have begun to grow; then give 
them a little air daily, and finally remove them to the stove, and treat 
them as the old plants. 
29. All those which grow up spindling and weak may be improved 
by pinching off the tops; this will induce them to throw out side 
shoots and become bushy plants. 
30. Divisioti of the roots .—The Orchideae, and many other kinds, 
are propagated by this plan. All that is required, is to do it carefully, 
so as not to mutilate the roots of tender plants more than is necessary, 
and after potting the divided parts, to be careful not to supply with 
much water, until the wound has healed, or the roots are liable to 
rot. 
