October.'] 



HOT-HOUSE. 



179 



into fresh soil, and allow them to stand till January almost 

 without water. We have never adopted this method with 

 any description of plants, but do not doubt of its success 

 with that genus. 



See that the ropes and pulleys of the sashes are in good 

 order, and fit to stand all winter. 



OCTOBER. 



Very few directions remain to be given to the department 

 of the hot-house. The supplies of water for this and the 

 two succeeding months are, according to the state and na- 

 ture of tropical plants, more limited than at any other period 

 of the year. This is the first month of what may be called 

 their dormant state. Observe the herbaceous plants, that 

 they are set aside as soon as their foliage decays, in case of 

 being too liberally supplied with water. Airing is highly 

 essential about this period, that the plants may be gradually 

 hardened ; but guard against injuring them. The tempera- 

 ture should never be under fifty degrees : when the days are 

 cool and the wind chilling, airing is not necessary ; and, 

 when air is admitted, always close up early in the afternoon, 

 while the atmosphere is warm, to supersede the necessity of 

 fire as long as possible. If, at any time, you have recourse 

 to it in this month, use it with great caution. 



Examine all the shutters and fastenings, and see that they 

 are in good substantial order, and, where deficient, repair 

 them instantly, that they may be in readiness. Remove all 

 leaves, and give syringings in the morning of sunshine days, 

 twice a-week. Clear off, sweep out, and wash clean, that 

 every part may be in the neatest order. 



The succulent tribe will not require water more than once 

 a-week, or once in two weeks. If any of them have ripened 

 seeds during summer, wash such carefully from the pulp, 

 and lay them past till the first of January, when they may 

 be sown on the surface of sandy soil, and gently pressed 

 down. Water them very carefully as they require ; cover 

 the pot with a piece or pane of glass, which will greatly 



