164 THE HOT-HOUSE. [FED. 



The leaves of the large-sized plants should then be tied toge- 

 ther ; they will be more manageable in this form than with their 

 leaves loose, and less liable to be damaged. The plants should 

 then be taken out of the pots, and divested of their long loose roots, 

 as also a few of the decayed leaves at the bottom, and the rest wash- 

 ed clean. 



The last species of insects (by gardeners most generally called 

 Pine-Bug) will sometimes conceal themselves in holes at the bot- 

 tom of the stems of the plants, especially in large ones ; and as the 

 mixture might be prevented from penetrating into those holes, by 

 the air contained in them, care should be taken to examine that part 

 with great circumspection. 



It may not be amiss in this place to observe, that the earth which 

 comes out of the pine pots, together with the leaves and roots taken 

 from off the plants, should be removed to a considerable distance 

 from the Hot-house. Also, that the pots, out of which the pine 

 plants were taken, should not be used again for that purpose, with- 

 out first being put into boiling water. 



The pine plants being now ready, let them be put either into the 

 mixture, or the corrosive solution, in which they should remain, 

 with every part covered, for the space of six minutes ; then take 

 them out, first letting the tops decline for the mixture to drain 

 out of their centres. The vessel should be immediately filled 

 with fresh plants, and those taken out set to dry with their roots 

 downwards ; for by placing them in that position the solution, Sec. will 

 descend, and penetrate to the very bottom of the leaves in the 

 centre of the plant, whereby the insects which are concealed there, 

 will be totally destroyed. The mixture will change the plants 

 to a sad green colour, which will give them the appearance of 

 being spoiled ; but, as they become dry, they will in a great measure 

 resume their proper hue. 



During the operation it will be necessary to add a supply of hut 

 mixture, in order to keep the whole to a proper degree of warmth, 

 as also to make up the deficiency which must naturally happen. 



It will be proper to do this work in a fine day, and as soon in 

 the forenoon as convenient, that the plants may have time to dry, 

 which they will do in a few hours, and then they must undergo the 

 same operation a second time. 



The process of the second operation being axactly the same as the 

 first, a repetition thereof is unnecessary. 



After the second dipping, a spunge should be used to remove 

 any unsightly matter on the leaves of the plants. They should then 

 be set to dry with their tops downwards, that the mixture may drain 

 from every part ; for it is necessary that every part of the plant 

 should be quite dry before it is planted. 



During the performance of the above operations, a sufficient num- 

 ber of labourers should be employed in getting the Hot-house 

 ready for the reception of the plants, (as changing the tan, and clean- 

 ing 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. 



