144 HOT-HOUSE. [Feb. 



FEBRUARY. 



IN the early part of this month the weather generally is 

 very cold and changeable in the middle states, and strict 

 attention, with the greatest caution, will require to be paid 

 to the management of the hot-house. Most of the tropical 

 plants commence an active state of vegetation; and, if 

 checked by temperature or otherwise, they will not recover 

 until midsummer. The thermometer may be kept two or 

 three degrees higher with fire heat than last month: the 

 sun will be more powerful, and this will, in a great degree, 

 increase the vigour of the plants. Air may be admitted 

 when the thermometer rises to 75 or 80, not allowing it 

 to rise higher than the latter. In giving air, let it be done 

 by the top sashes. It is improper to give it in any way 

 to cause a current, for the external air is yet very cold, 

 although the sun is more powerful. An inch or two on a 

 few of the sashes, as has been previously observed, will be 

 effectual in keeping the temperature low enough. 



With regard to firing, what was said last month may 

 suffice for this. Always recollect that it is more preferable 

 to keep out the cold than to put it out. It will frequently 

 happen in the time of intense frost, that the weather is 

 dull. In such cases fire in a small degree is requisite all 

 day. 



Heavy snows ought never to be allowed to remain on 

 the shutters while they are on the house. If the snow lies 

 on the sashes one day, the internal heat will dissolve some 

 of it ; night coming on, will freeze it to the wood-work, 

 when it will become a solid mass, and frequently cannot 

 be separated without much damage. If allowed to remain 

 on for two days, the plants are very much weakened and 

 the foliage discoloured. Therefore, let the snow be cleared 

 off* instantly, that no inconvenience may take place. 



It will be observed that plants absorb more water this 

 month than last. The quantity given will require to be 

 increased, according to the increase of vegetation and the 

 advancement of the season ; but never give it until the soil 

 begins to dry, and then in such proportion as will reach 

 the bottom of the pot. The best time to water is after the 



