35$ THE HOT-HOUSE. [APRIL, 



only a little, now and then, as the earth in the pots seems to stand 

 in need of it. 



When any of the stove plants have contracted much dust or 

 other foulness, such must be cleaned off immediately ; all decayed 

 leaves should constantly be picked away, and the utmost cleanness 

 preserved in all the house. 



Where insects appear on the pines, or on any of the other plants, 

 immediate attention ought to be paid to the destruction of them ; 

 for in a short time, if neglected, they would overrun the house and 

 ruin many of the plants. For the methods of extirpating them, see 

 article Hot-house for February , page 1 60, &c. 



The paying of due attention to all the plants, giving them suita- 

 ble care and culture, preserving them in good health, and keeping 

 the house constantly clean, and the plants free from decayed leaves 

 and filth, is the surest method of not being much troubled with in- 

 sects. 



Propagating -various Stove Exotics. 



You may now propagate by cuttings, layers, suckers, or seeds, 

 the various plants of this department. Plant the cuttings in pots, 

 plunge them in the bark-bed, and the kinds that grow by that me- 

 thod, which are very numerous, will strike root freely ; and indeed 

 there are very few sorts but may be cultivated in this way, if cover- 

 ed close for some time with bell-glasses, to preserve a moist at- 

 mosphere around them, till they establish themselves in the earth, 

 and are able to draw therefrom, a sufficient supply of juices, to re- 

 place those which might be exhaled by the open dry air. 



You may in like manner, strike cuttings of many sorts of green- 

 house plants, and of any curious and valuable shrubs, of the open 

 ground departmennts. 



Sow seeds of all hot-house plants, that you are able to procure, 

 and wish to cultivate ; let them be sown in pots, and if room can 

 be had, plunge these in the bark -bed, give them occasional water- 

 ing, and you may expect many kinds to come up shortly, and seve- 

 ral others not for months. The laying of panes of glass over these 

 pots, will facilitate the growth of the seeds, by opposing the ascend- 

 ing moisture, and retaining it about the surface of the earth ; but 

 bell-glasses would more effectually answer this end. 



Care of several Fruiting, Flowering, and Esculent Plants in the 



Stove. 



Pay due attention to the regular watering, of the strawberries, 

 kidney-beans, cucumbers, and flowers, now forcing in the stove ; 

 and early in the month, introduce others to succeed them. 



Continue to keep the grape-vines, now fruiting, free from all 

 unnecessary shoots, and such as are produced from the axillas of 

 the leaves, Sec. and train the others, close and regular. 



