182 HOT-HOUSE OF TAKING IN PLANTS. [September. 



SEPTEMBER. 



DRESSING THE PLANTS. 



HAVING last month put the house in complete order, all 

 that remains necessary to be attended to, is the state of the 

 plants and pots, which should be regularly examined, and 

 of those where the roots fill the soil, a little may be taken 

 off the top, supplying its place with fresh earth, thereby 

 giving what is called a top-di'essing. Give each that re- 

 quires it a sufficient rod, tying the plant neatly thereto ; 

 minutely scrutinize each for insects, and where they are 

 detected, have them eradicated. 



Finally, wash all contracted foulness from off' the pots, at 

 the same time pick off any decayed leaves ; thus all will be 

 in perfect order to take into the house. If any plants have 

 been kept in the hot-house during summer, they must like- 

 wise go through the same operation. 



OF TAKING IN THE PLANTS. 



From the 16th to the 24th, according to the season, is 

 the proper time to take in the hot-house plants. It is pre- 

 ferable to have them what might be deemed a few days 

 too early, than have them in the slightest degree affected 

 by cold. 



Commence by housing the largest first, and those that 

 stand farthest in the house, observing to place the most ten- 

 der sorts nearest the heat or warmest part of the house. 

 For observations on them, see May. In regard to arrange- 

 ment, that must be according to the taste of the operator. 

 We may observe, that in a small collection it is better to 

 have them in a regular than in a picturesque form. A dry 

 shelf is indispensable in this department for placing on it 

 all herbaceous plants, such as Cunna Hedychium, 'Z-ingi- 

 ber, Ksempferia, &c., the watering of which from this time 

 should be gradually suspended, that they may have their 

 required cessation to make them flower well. This shelf 



