FEB.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. H5 



Air should be admitted to the plants at all times when the weather 

 is favorable, for that is a necessary article ; they cannot thrive with- 

 out it, nor continue a healthful lively appearance. Every day, when 

 the weather is mild, let some of the windows be opened a little way 

 for the admission of air, and take care that they are shut again in due 

 time. 



But be very particular not to admit sharp or cutting winds, or 

 frosty air, into the green-house at this season ; to avoid which, you 

 must never be absent while the windows are more or less open : for 

 the changes of weather are so sudden, that a few hours' inattention 

 might do irreparable injury to your plants, especially to the more 

 tender kinds. The safest method now of admitting air, is by sliding 

 down the upper tier of your front windows, less or more, according 

 to the weather, which will not only admit the fresh, but discharge 

 any foul air which has been generated in the house. 



In frosty weather, keep your lights all close, and if very severe, 

 defend the windows at night. If you have roof-lights, protect them 

 as directed in January, page 100. 



Fires may also occasionally be used, and indeed are indispensable 

 at times ', but these ought never to be resorted to except when abso- 

 lutely necessary, either to keep out the frost or to dispel damps ; and 

 even then you are to be very cautious not to create thereby too strong 

 a heat in the house, never above 40 or 45 of Fahrenheit's thermo- 

 meter ; for this would cause your plants to push and get into a fresh 

 state of vegetation, which would be extremely injurious to them dur- 

 ing any of the winter months. 



Another thing to be regarded, is to keep the plants of all kinds 

 free from casual decayed shoots and leaves, for these are not only 

 hurtful to the plants while in the house, but appear very unsightly ; 

 therefore, whenever such appear, let them be constantly taken off; 

 keep also the pots, &c., and green-house, always neatly clean. 



The latter end of this, or any time next month, you ought to 

 loosen the earth in the top of the pots or tubs of your oranges, le- 

 mons, and other plants in general, and take out about an inch deep or 

 more, adding some fresh in its stead ; this will prove very beneficial 

 to the plants, and whoever will bestow this little dressing upon them, 

 will see the advantage of it in a short time. 



Your pots of Cape bulbs, such as Ixias, Gladioluses, Lachenalias, 

 Moreas, Watsonias, Lapeyrousias, Walchendorfias, Tritonias, Antho- 

 lizas, Cyanelias, and Oxalis versicolor Babianas, Massonias, Geisso- 

 rhizas, Melanthiums and Melasphaerulas, &c., which are now in a 

 state of vegetation, should be kept all towards the front of the house, 

 and as near the glasses as possible, lest they should draw up weakly, 

 and thereby produce but indifferent flowers. 



HOT-BEDS FOR RAISING GREEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 



Make hot-beds to sow tender exotic seeds in, observing to work the 

 dung well, turning it over two or three times while it remains in the 

 heap, at intervals of four or five days ; make the beds as directed for 

 cucumbers, page 20, to the height of three feet six inches ; put on 



