Sept.] THE GREENHOUSE. 507 



published in 1803, by the late Benjamin Smith Barton, M. D., 

 Professor of Materia Medica, Natural History and Botany in the 

 University of Pennsylvania. 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



In the eastern states between the fifteenth and latter end of this 

 month, according to local situations, the nights will be getting cold, 

 and consequently the more tender kinds of green-house plants must 

 be taken in before they change their colour by too much cold, 

 leaving the hardy sorts out as long as there is no danger of their 

 being attacked by frost. 



Some people are desirous to keep out their plants as long as pos- 

 sible; this is very right, but it ought not to be extended to too 

 hazardous a period, for one night's frost would cause the leaves to 

 lose their fine green colour, which perhaps might not be restored 

 during the whole winter, and if anyway severe, serious injury 

 might be sustained. 



If the windows and doors are kept open day and night, as long 

 as there is safety in so doing, the plants will be nearly as well oft" 

 as if in the open air, and no danger is encountered: the mere dif- 

 ference of five or six days in the taking in of the plants will insure 

 safety; but on the other hand, it is not right to be too precipitate 

 in housing them before the common appearance of the weather indi- 

 cates the necessity. 



For further particulars respecting the housing of the plants, see 

 next month, which is the period for doing that business in the mid- 

 dle states. 



In the middle and other states where frosts do not frequently 

 appear before the middle of October, the plants are to be taken care 

 of as directed in the preceding months; observing to decrease the 

 usual supply of water in proportion to the moistness and coldness 

 of the weather, for the administering of it too copiously when there 

 is not a necessity, would be very injurious. And let it be particu- 

 larly observed, that as soon as the cold nights set in, which may be 

 about the middle of this month or sooner, the water must be given 

 to the plants in the morning, for if given late in the afternoon as in 

 the preceding months, the chill occasioned by it and the coldness 

 of the nights, would change the colour of the foliage from a fine 

 green to a yellowish cast, whereby much of their beauty would be 

 lost, as well as the plants themselves in some degree injured. 



If any are in want of larger pots or tubs, they may be shifted 

 in the beginning of this month, but on no account defer it later, 

 that the plants may have time to strike some fresh roots before winter. 

 And if, in consequence of a bad state of health, any had been plant- 

 ed in baskets in the borders as recommended in page 428, they 



