JAN.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 103 



This building being furnished with flues, &c., may be used as a 

 green-house at discretion by introducing stages instead of beds, and 

 in that case the glass roof may be permanently fixed. 



WORK TO BE DONE IN THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



In mild days, when the weather externally is moderate and calm, 

 let the windows be opened a little for the admission of fresh air 

 about ten or eleven o'clock, and about two or three in the afternoon 

 let them be shut close again; but the time of opening and the time 

 they should be kept so must always be determined by the weather, 

 for there are many changes sometimes in a few hours at this season. 

 The upper lights may be let down a few inches for the admission of 

 fresh air as well as to let out the foul air of the house, even when 

 the under lights cannot be raised with safety.* 



In frosty weather the windows must be kept constantly closed, 

 and if very severe let the window shutters be shut every night, and 

 even occasionally in the daytime when the frost is extremely rigor- 

 ous, and no sun ; or, in default of shutters, on this occasion let gar- 

 den-mats be nailed up against all the windows, or strong canvas 

 hung on rollers be let down before them, and remove the small or 

 more tender plants in front as far from danger as possible. 



Keep the plants perfectly clear from decayed leaves, and as clean 

 as possible from any considerable foulness, and every part of the 

 house clean and free from litter of fallen leaves, &c., all of which is 

 essential at this time for the prosperity of the plants in general. 



When the weather is foggy or very wet, it will be proper to keep 

 the windows and doors close. 



Water must be given to such plants as you see require it, but let 

 that be given in very moderate quantities, and always, if possible, 

 take the opportunity of a mild day, and if sunny the better. In the 

 forenoon from eleven to twelve or one o'clock is the proper time of 

 the day for watering at this season, and generally prefer soft water 

 for this occasion. 



But very little water must be given at this season of the year to 

 any of the alofis, sedums, or any other of the succulent plants. 



Let it likewise be observed that such of the woody exotics 

 as oranges, myrtles, geraniums, &c. as you shall see necessary to 

 water, should have but a very moderate quantity given them at any 

 one time. 



In such green-houses where there is the convenience of flues for 

 occasional fire-heat in very rigorous weather, you should in time of 

 continued severe frost make moderate fires in an evening and morn- 

 ing, just sufficient to warm the inclosed air enough to resist the frost; 

 also in very foggy or moist weather may make a very moderate fire 

 to expel the damp, which often proves pernicious to some of the more 

 delicate exotics of this department. 



* The opening of these under or front windows during cold weather is 

 the cause of most of the mildew so often complained of. In the middle 

 of winter always lower the temperature by opening the top ventilators. 



