December.'] HOT-HOUSE OF A CISTERN, &c. 185 



degrees previous to admission. Shut all close early in the 

 afternoon, or when any sudden changes occur. 



OF A CISTERN AND WATER. 



In watering, it is important to have the water of the 

 same temperature in this department as the roots of the 

 plants. To have this, there are two kinds of cisterns or 

 tanks that might be adopted ; one may be sunk in the house 

 under ground, either closely plastered, or lined with lead, 

 and neatly covered up, having a small perpendicular pump 

 therein, or placed so that the water could be lifted by hand. 

 The other might, where convenience will admit, be placed 

 over the furnace, either in the back shed, or inside of the 

 house, and the water could be drawn off this by a stop-cock. 

 These can be supplied, in part, with rain water, by having 

 spouts round the house to lead into the cisterns, supplying 

 any deficiency from the pump. Thus water of a congenial 

 temperature may be always at hand, which is of great im- 

 portance to the healthful constitution of the plants. The 

 water must now be given in moderate portions, examining 

 the plants every day. Be careful in watering bulbs, as the 

 smallest supply is sufficient for them at present. Succu- 

 lents will require a little every two weeks, except they- are 

 over the flues, when they may have some every week. 



Constantly clear off all decayed leaves, and carry them 

 out of the house, which sweep and wash clean, and keep 

 all in the neatest order. 



DECEMBER. 



THE uncertainty of the weather in this month requires 

 the operator to be constantly on guard, to ward off danger, 

 either from frost, snoAv, or cutting winds. The tempe- 

 rature observed last month must be continued, but not ex- 

 ceeded, which would cause premature vegetation, of which 

 the result and effects have already been observed. Always 

 16* 



