JAN.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 83 



This building being furnished with flues, Sec. 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 close ; 

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

 even occasionally in the day time, 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 canvass 

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

 more tender plants in front, as fur 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, Sec. ; all 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 door 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 aloes, sedums, or any other of the succulent plants. 



Let it likewise be observed, that such of the woody exotics, as 

 oranges, myrtles, geraniums, Sec. as you shall see necessary to wa- 

 ter, 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 

 morning, 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 ef the more delicate exotics of this department. 



