SEPT.] HOT-HOUSEGENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 299 



days too early, than have them in the slightest affected 

 by cold. 



Commence by housing the largest first, and those 

 that stand farthest in the house, observing to place the 

 most tender sorts nearest the heat or warmest part of 

 the house. For observations on them, see May: in re- 

 gard 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 Canna,) Hedychium, Zingiber, Kcempferia^ &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 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. 



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. Alstr&merias are apt to rot while 

 dormant when they are supplied with water. The tu- 

 berous species might be kept almost dry. Some prac- 

 tical men of sound science repot these plants in this 



