238 
WINTER MANAGEMENT OF HOT-HOUSES, &c. 
of stormy wind, and the peltings of rain and hail, are certain to inflict on every 
vegetable being- exposed to their power. 
It is very certain that there are two distinct states in the existence of every 
plant ; one of quietude and repose, the other of development and display. Upon 
the basis of this fact we shall found these observations, which we trust will afford 
real pleasure and matter for reflection to the genuine lover of plants. If we err in 
the view we take, we look for our justification to the sincerity of our motive and 
the liberality of the reader. The plants which are cultivated in hot-houses are 
chiefly the natives of tropical climates ; hence the idea has prevailed that they 
require a steady undiminished heat of from 60 to 70 degrees of Fahrenheit's ther- 
mometer. 
If it be supposed that these high degrees of temperature exist at all seasons in 
the hot countries, a great mistake is committed, for even in the torrid zone, within 
a few degrees north and south of the line, severe cold frequently is experienced, and 
in the hilly districts unequivocal evidence of actual frost is sometimes afforded ; yet 
the pine apple, a plant which flourishes with prodigious luxuriance in the pestilen- 
tial vapourous atmosphere of Batavia, and of the close woods of western Africa, 
and supports the utmost extremes of heat, will, nevertheless, sustain a degree of 
cold below that of the mean temperature of our climate in February, without mani- 
fest injury. 
It should also be recollected that in our artificial mode of treatment, we afford 
protection and complete shelter from storms of wind and rain — circumstances of 
great importance, even in the finest seasons. 
The glare of sun-light also is mellowed and softened by a medium of glass ; and 
of this any one may convince himself by removing a fig-tree in a pot, which is in 
perfect luxuriance while in the stove, and placing it at once in the open air, exposed 
to the rays of a spring sun. The almost immediate effect upon the leaves will be 
astonishing ; those broad, expanded, and powerful organs, which had luxuriated 
in an atmosphere of 90 and 100 degrees, will droop, shrivel, and, in most instances, 
fall off, though another tree of the same species, growing in the open air, and within 
a few yards' distance, shall remain entire and unscathed. 
This fact, which proves that direct heat is not the operating cause of the injury, 
bears forcibly upon the practice of removing plants that have been retained for 
months under glass suddenly into the open air, a practice than which nothing can 
be more injudicious, unless a very shady and protected spot can be selected in the 
first instance. 
Protection being thus secured, we have no hesitation to assert that as the sun's 
altitude declines, and the dark and torpid season approaches, the temperature of the 
house ought to be suffered to decline in proportion. 
Wherever great heats prevail in nature, there light and length of day are con- 
comitants ; therefore, in our climate, when the nights are increased to fifteen and 
sixteen hours' duration, temperature ought to be correspondingly lowered. 
Three successive winters have now afforded convincing proofs that almost every 
tree or shrub of the East and West Indies will live and be in health, when the 
