DESCRIPTION OF HOTHOUSES. 143 



some tan j new or old will do, about eight inches 

 thick for plunging the pots in ; and when the 

 heat is greatly reduced, if the plants are in- 

 tended to remain for some time, strong linings 

 of hot dung must be applied, and if to continue 

 through the winter, it must be renewed once in 

 three or four weeks, as occasion requires ; but 

 if the heat of the bed should so decline that 

 the linings will not sufficiently revive it, pre- 

 pare a new bed, and when ready, remove the 

 plants thereto as expeditiously as possible, re- 

 plunge them, and treat this bed as directed for 

 the former, with the addition in winter of 

 defending the outside linings with straw or 

 stable litter, to counteract the severity of the 

 frost, the effects of heavy falls of snow, &c. 

 I may also here remark, that lining the outside 

 of the bricked pits with light dry litter during 

 the winter seasons, has a most beneficial effect, 

 by greatly assisting to repel the severity of the 

 weather ; indeed, at all seasons it is useful 

 rather than otherwise, and to more effectually 

 preserve the internal heat, covering the glasses 

 of the pits or frames every night in sharp frosty 



