144 HOT-HOUSE. [February. 



once a week. That the foliage of the plants may always 

 appear fresh, syringe them every morning, when there is the 

 appearance of sun. At present, this will in a great measure 

 keep down the insects, and will prove a bane to the red 

 spider. 



Tie up neatly with stakes and threads of Russia mat all 

 the straggling growing plants; let the stakes be proportion* 

 ate to the plants, and never longer, except they are climbing 

 sorts. Do not tie the branches in bundles, but singly and 

 neatly, imitating nature as much as possible. If any of the 

 plants are affected with the Cocus insect, let them be cleansed 

 according to the plan already mentioned, taking particular 

 care also in washing the stakes to which they had been pre- 

 viously tied, and burning all the old tyings, which contain 

 the larvae of the insect in many instances, especially of 

 Cocus hesperidus. It is premised, when any of these things 

 are done, that .they will be well done, and not half doing, 

 and always doing. Cleanliness, in every respect, promotes a 

 pure air, which is congenial to vegetation, and will, with other 

 attentions, always assume a healthful and vigorous appearance 

 in the house. 



FEBRUARY 



IN the early part of this month, the weather generally is 

 very cold and changeable in the Middle States, and strict 

 attention, with the greatest caution, will require to be paid 

 to the management of the hot-house. Most of the tropical 

 plants commence an active state of vegetation; and, if 

 checked by temperature or otherwise, they will not recover 

 until midsummer. The thermometer may be kept two or 

 three degrees higher with fire heat than last month : the sun 

 will be more powerful, and this will, in a great degree, in- 

 crease the vigour of the plants. Air may be admitted when 

 the thermometer rises to 75 or 80, not allowing it to rise 

 higher than the latter. In giving air, let it be done by the 

 top sashes. It is improper to give it in any way to cause a 

 current, for the eyternal air is yet very cold, although tho 



