October.'] HOT-HOUSE. 183 



may be in any situation ; one in darkness, where other 

 plants will not grow, will answer perfectly well. If there 

 is a bark bed, do not until the end of December, plunge 

 any of the pots therein. If any plants of the Poinsettia 

 are in the ground, have them carefully lifted and shaded 

 from the sun. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



The plants being now all under protection, they must 

 have as much air as possible admitted to them every day, 

 by opening the doors, front and top sashes, closing only at 

 night. The syringings must be continued, and care taken 

 that plants of a deciduous or herbaceous nature are not 

 over-watered. The tuberous species might be kept almost 

 dry. Some practical men of sound science repot these 

 plants in this month into fresh soil, and allow them to stand 

 till January almost without water. We have never adopt- 

 ed this method with any description of plants, but do not 

 doubt of its success with that genus. 



See that the ropes and pulleys of the sashes are in good 

 order, and fit to stand all winter. 



OCTOBER. 



VERY few directions remain to be given to the department 

 of the hot-house. The supplies of water for this and the 

 two succeeding months are, according to the state and na- 

 ture of tropical plants, more limited than at any other period 

 of the year. This is the first month of what may be called 

 their dormant state. Observe the herbaceous plants, that 

 they are set aside as soon as their foliage decays, in case 

 of being too liberally supplied with water. Airing is 

 highly essential about this period, that the plants may be 

 gradually hardened; but guard against injuring them. 

 The temperature should never be under fifty degrees: 

 when the days are cool and the wind chilling, airing is not 



