FEB.] THE HOT-HOUSE. 181 



every part of the hot-house); and if the inside of the roof were 

 painted at the same time it would be better. Also, it might be ser- 

 viceable, if a small fire was made in the pine pit with charcoal and 

 sulphur, and the house shut up an hour or two to keep in the steam. 

 But in case there are vines, or other plants, growing in the hot-house, 

 this last operation must be omitted. 



If the above work cannot be done in one and the same day, the 

 pine plants may with great safety be set in a dry airy place for a day 

 or two, provided they are not put into heaps, which would greatly 

 damage them in a short time. 



The mould intended for the pine plants at the first potting, should 

 be light and fine ; and I would recommend that the pots be small in 

 proportion to the size of the plant, that each plant may be what gar- 

 deners term UNDERPOTTED ; they will strike root both sooner and 

 better than if put into larger pots, and at their next shifting they 

 will go into proper sized pots with their balls and roots entire. 



After the pine plants are replaced in the hot-house, it will be pro- 

 per to shade the glasses in the middle of the day whenever the wea- 

 ther is warm and clear. The house should be constantly kept to a 

 great degree of heat, which will be the means of making the plants 

 strike sooner and stronger, it being evident that they cannot draw 

 themselves weak while in an inactive state : however, as soon as the 

 plants are perceived to grow, it will be necessary to give them by de- 

 grees a greater quantity of air. 



Great care should be taken to prevent the roots of the plants from 

 being injured by an over-heat of the tan, which may be done by 

 raising the pots in case the tan should heat violently. 



OTHER INSECTS FOUND IN HOT-HOUSES, WITH THE METHODS OF DE- 

 STROYING THEM. 



Besides the different species of insects which are found so pernicious 

 to the pine-apple plants, there are other kinds that infest most stoves^ 

 which frequently prove very troublesome ; and although they are not 

 injurious to the pine-apple, are yet very prejudicial to most other 

 plants kept there, either for use or ornament. 



1. THE APHIS. This insect is of the order HEMIPTERA. Cha- 

 racters : Rostrum bent inwards. Antennae, setaceous and longer than 

 the thorax. Wings, four on the males; females none. Feet six. 

 They have generally two little horns or hairs placed on the hinder 

 part of their abdomen. 



Roses and various other plants are very subject to be overrun with 

 these insects, and if no means are used to extirpate them, they will 

 in a short time take such entire possession of the plants, that every 

 part of the young wood will appear to be covered with them. They 

 are commonly called lice. Many kinds of flowers and exotic plants 

 which are kept in stoves are very subject to be annoyed with them. 



These are easily destroyed three ways. 1. By fumigating the 

 house with tobacco. 2. By dusting the infected plants with fine 

 snuff or tobacco dust. 3. By a decoction or infusion of tobacco. 



2. The ACARUS, commonly called the Red Spider. This is of 



