March.'] HOT-HOUSE OF CLEANSING PLANTS, &c. 147 



OF CLEANSING PLANTS, HOUSE, &c. 



With regard to cleaning the plants. Sprinkling or sy- 

 ringing is at all times, to a greater or less degree, necessary. 

 The plants will, in this compartment, be in their first 

 stage of growth, and, if dust or foulness be permitted to 

 lodge on their foliage, the pores will be obstructed, the 

 plants will become unhealthy, and the growth of insects 

 increased. 



Let all moss, litter, decayed leaves or weeds, be cleared 

 out of the house, the earth in the pots stirred up with a 

 round pointed stick, and fresh earth given where required, 

 that the air may operate therein freely. 



The house ought always to be sprinkled before being 

 swept, to prevent the dust rising. 



Attend to the bulbous roots as directed last month, such 

 as Hyacinths, Narcissus, &c. 



MARCH. 



IF this department has been regularly attended to, the 

 plants will be in a fresh healthy state. Where there is any 

 sickly appearance, heat has been deficient, or insects of a 

 destructive character are preying upon the plants. Too 

 much water at the root frequently causes the foliage to be- 

 come yellow. Regular syringing must be continued in the 

 morning, and it is highly necessary that the water that is 

 used should be of the same temperature as the house ; and 

 at all times, whatever water is given to the roots, the same 

 must be observed. For airing, see last month, observing, 

 as the season advances, to increase the quantity. 



Continue to fumigate when any of the Green-fly appears, 

 (see January for directions,) and where there are any of the 

 plants infected with the white scaly insect, clean them as 

 there directed. If overlooked for a few months, they will 

 be increased tenfold. Very frequently, where there are 

 only a few, they are neglected until the plant is overrun 



