CONSTRUCTION OF THE GREEN-HOUSE. 147 



plants in the fall, it should be minutely inspected in the month 

 of August each year, that all repairs which appear necessary 

 may be done. The flue should be examined first, which 

 requires that a few tiles be taken off the tops, in order to 

 clean out the soot, that has collected during the winter; this 

 may be done with a hoe and brush ; the soot must be drawn 

 to the place where the tiles are taken off. The flue being 

 cleansed, it is next to be examined outwardly, the tiles pro- 

 perly replaced, repaired, and white-washed ; the back wall, 

 and every part of the brick work, must also be white-washed, 

 which will be of material benefit to the plants, when growing 

 in the house. 



Lime-washing improves the appearance of the house, and 

 is a great preventative against the many insects which infest 

 plants. If a portion of sulphur be beaten fine, and mixed 

 with the wash intended for the flue, the red spider, that 

 minute pest to plants, will be greatly deterred from injuring 

 those which are at the dry end of the house. 



The furnace is next to be inspected and repaired. The 

 internal part of the house being cleansed and repaired, the 

 roof should be inspected, and all broken glass repaired. The 

 wood work should be painted if required, and, in fact, every 

 part put in perfect order. 



When the house is filled with plants, great care must be 

 taken not to allow any leaves or filth to collect, as it occasions 

 an impure air, which often causes the plants to have a sickly 

 appearance. 



The leaves of plants being porous, and having the power 

 of absorbing the surrounding air in which they grow, it is 

 evident that their health greatly depends on the pure state of 

 it ; consequently, care should be taken to obtain that which 

 is most congenial, and which will be found to be a sweet 

 aid pleasant internal heat. 



