THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



155 



plants, the greatest nicety is required, so as to pre- 

 serve a symmetrical form, and yet graceful airy appear- 

 ance. All cuts should be made close under an eye, 

 or bud, or leaf, or protruding shoot, and with a sharp 

 penknife. Elegant tapering rods painted of a light 

 green, and small black threads, should be used as 

 ties, neatly cut off at the knots, and not so tightly 

 put round the shoots of the plant as to impede the 

 progress of the sap in the bark, and cause, as often 

 happens with common matting ties, a swelled ring 

 above the tie. 



If plants require to be washed to free them from 

 insects or dirt, the best way is to use a soft sponge 

 for the leaves, and a small brush for the stems and 

 branches ; and to use no liquid but pure water. 

 Many other washes and compositions are recom- 

 mended ; but excepting one, which we shall afterwards 

 mention as fit to be applied to the flues and some 

 parts of the walls, we consider nothing so efficacious 

 as the liberal use of clean water. 



When the plants are all shifted and replaced, and 

 those which have been deprived of most of their roots 

 shaded, it will be necessary for a few days to watch 

 for any changes that may take place. If the weather 

 happens to be cloudy, it is probable nothing will occur ; 

 but if there should be much bright sun- shine, some 

 of the plants that have had a good deal of earth taken 

 from their roots, will probably flag or droop their 

 leaves. When this occurs, the best mode is at once 

 to shade the whole house during three or four hours 



