ti/ptember."] HOT-HOUSE OP TAKING IN THE PLANTS. 181 



all the wood-work painted (which ought to have one coat every 

 two years), and the glass all neatly repaired. Have the flues 

 and furnace examined ; plaster over all rents, and make good 

 every deficiency. Give the flue a thick coat of lime white- 

 wash. Have the walls, shelves, and staging properly painted. 

 If there is a tan-bed, have that renewed ; take out what is 

 most decayed, using two-thirds new tan, which must be dried 

 at least three days in the sun before it is housed, and carefully 

 protect it from rains. 



SEPTEMBER 



DRESSING THE PLANTS. 



HAVING last month put the house in complete ordei all 

 that remains necessary to be attended to is the state of che 

 plants and pots, which should be regularly examined j *nd 

 of those where the roots fill the soil, a little may be taken off 

 the top, supplying its place with fresh earth, thereby giving 

 what is called a top-dressing. Give each that requires it a 

 sufficient rod, tying the plant neatly thereto ; minutely scruti- 

 nize each for insects, and where they are detected, have them 

 eradicated. 



Finally, wash all contracted foulness from off the pots, at 

 the same time pick off any decayed leaves ; thus all will be in 

 perfect order to take into the house. If any plants have been 

 kept in the hot-house during summer, they must likewise go 

 through the same operation. 



OP TAKING IN THE PLANTS. 



From the 16th to the 24th, according to the season, is 

 the proper time to take in the hot-house plants. It is pre- 

 ferable to have them what might be deemed a few days too 

 early, than have them in the slightest degree affected by 

 cold. 



Commence by housing the largest first, and those that stand 

 16 



