182 HOT-HOUSE OBSERVATIONS. [October. 



farthest in the house, observing to place the most tender sorts 

 nearest the heat or warmest part of the house. For observa- 

 tions on them, see May. In regard to arrangement, 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 Cdnna, Hedychium, Zingiber, Kcempferia, &c, the water- 

 ing of which by this time should be gradually suspended, 

 that they may have their required cessation to make them 

 flower well. This shelf 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 prac- 

 tical 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 adopted 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 arc in good 

 order, and fit to stand all winter. 



OCTOBER. 



Very few directions remain to be given to the department 

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



