Aug.] THE HOT-HOUSE. 477 



shall have recovered the check occasioned by the removal. This 

 work should be performed early in the month; for if they are shift- 

 ed too late in the season, they do not recover before the cold comes 

 on, which checks their growth, prevents their free rooting, and con- 

 sequently renders them not so well prepared to maintain them- 

 selves in winter, as if done at an early period; and many kinds 

 that have stood too long in the same pots without shifting, will have 

 their roots so matted, as to grow mouldy in winter and decay; 

 which has often been destructive to many choice plants. 



The other plants, which do not require shifting at this season, 

 should have some of the earth taken out of the tops of the pots, if 

 not done last month, and replaced with fresh compost; this will 

 greatly encourage their autumn growth, and should not be neglected. 



The regular watering of the plants must now be duly attended 

 to, for one day's neglect, at this season, might destroy many of your 

 most valuable plants. Keep all the collection free from decayed 

 leaves, and such pots as are plunged in the earth must be turned 

 quite round in their seats once a week, for the reasons mentioned 

 in the preceding months. 



Keep all the pots and tubs free from weeds, and continue to pro- 

 pagate the various kinds by suckers, layers, or cuttings. 



Labelling the Plants. 



In large collections all the plants should be labelled, having the 

 generic and specific name of the plant on each label. These may 

 be made of small slips of pine or cedar, each from six to ten inches 

 long, near an inch broad at top, tapering to a point at the lower 

 end and about a quarter of an inch thick. When the sticks are 

 ready, the parts to be written on should be rubbed lightly with 

 white oil paint; then with a black lead pencil, ivhile yet wet, 

 write the generic and specific name of the plant thereon, which will 

 soon dry and become completely permanent; the label is then to 

 be stuck into the pot near the rim, and so deep as to leave the 

 writing easy to be seen. These labels will continue good for three 

 years, or longer. 



