[72 THE HOT-HOUSE. [Feb. 



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

 be serviceable, 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 line; and I would recommend that the pots be small 

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

 Gardeners term tjnderpotted; 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 

 proper to shade the glasses in the middle of the day whenever the 

 weather 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 degrees 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 destroying 



them. 



Besides the different species of insects which are found so per- 

 nicious t6 the pine-apple plants, there are other kinds that infest 

 most stoves, which frecpuently 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 llowers 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 

 snuft'or tobacco dust. 3. By a decoction or infusion of tobacco. 





