February. '] hot-house — of insects, etc. 141 



sun is move powerful. An inch or two on a few of the 

 sashes, as has been previously obserYcd, will be effectual in 

 keeping the temperature low enough. 



With regard to firing, what was said last month may 

 suffice for this. Always recollect that it is more preferable to 

 keep out the cold than to put it out. It will frequently 

 happen in the time of intense frost that the weather is dull. 

 In such cases, fire in a small degree is requisite all day. 



Heavy snows ought never to be allowed to remain on the 

 shutters while they are on the house. If the snow lies on 

 the sashes one day, the internal heat will dissolve some of 

 it; night coming on, will freeze it to the Avood-work, when 

 it will become a solid mass, and frequently cannot be sepa- 

 rated without much damage. If allowed to remain on for 

 two days, the plants are very much weakened and the foliage 

 discolored. Therefore, let the snow be cleared off instantly^ 

 that no inconvenience may take place. 



It will be observed that plants absorb more water thi^ 

 month than last. The quantity given will require to be in- 

 creased, according to the increase of vegetation and the ad- 

 vancement of the season ; but never give it until the soil 

 begins to dry, and then in such proportion as will reach the 

 bottom of the pot. The best time to water is after the sun 

 has got on the house in the morning, observing all the di- 

 rections given in January. 



OF INSECTS, &c. 



Perhaps sufficient observations were given under this head 

 last month ; but the importance of keeping these disagreea- 

 ble visitors out of the house constrains us to make a few 

 more remarks. Man cannot be too frequently guarded 

 against his foes, more especially when they are summon- 

 ing all their forces, and no profession has more than that 

 of the Horticulturist. Let a strict examination be made 

 about the end of the month for the red spider; they will be 

 in operation some weeks before their depredations are ob- 

 served on the foliage. The under side of the leaf is tjjeir 

 resort in the first instance, and on such plants as have been 

 already mentioned. 



Observe daily the young shoots, in case the green fly be- 



