172 THE HOT-HOUSE. [Feb. 
The leaves of the large-sized plants should then be tied toge- 
ther; they will be more manageable in this form than with their 
leaves loose, and less liable to be damaged. The plants should then 
be taken out of the pots, and divested of their long loose roots, as 
also a few of the decayed leaves at the bottom, and the rest washed 
clean. 
The last species of insects (by gardeners most generally called 
Pine-Bug) will sometimes conceal themselves in holes at the bot- 
tom of the stems of the plants, especially in large ones; and as the 
mixture might be prevented from penetrating into those holes, by 
the air contained in them, care should be taken to examine that part 
with great circumspection. 
It may not be amiss in this place to observe, that the earth which 
comes out of the pine pots, together with the leaves and roots taken 
from off the plants, should be removed to a considerable distance 
from the Hot-house. Also, that the pots, out of which the pine 
plants were taken, should not be used again for that purpose, with- 
out first being put into boiling water. 
The pine plants being now ready, let them be put either into the 
mixture, or the corrosive solution, in which they should remain, 
with every part covered, for the space of six minutes; then take 
them out, first letting the tops decline for the mixture to drain 
out of their centres. The vessel should be immediately filled with 
fresh plants, and those taken out set to dry with their roots 
downwards; for by placing them in that position the solution, Sec. will 
descend, and penetrate to the very bottom of the leaves in the 
centre of the plant, whereby the insects which are concealed there, 
will be totally destroyed. The mixture will change the plants 
to a sad green colour, which will give them the appearance of 
being spoiled; but, as they become dry, they will in a great measure 
resume their proper hue. 
During the operation it will be necessary to add a supply of hot 
mixture, in order to keep the whole to a proper degree of warmth, 
as also to make up the deficiency which must naturally happen. 
It will be proper to do this work in a fine day, and as soon in the 
forenoon as convenient, that the plants may have time to dry, which 
they will do in a few hours, and then they must undergo the same 
operation a second time. 
The process of the second operation being exactly the same as the 
first, a repetition thereof is unnecessary. 
After the second dipping, a spunge should be used to remove 
any unsightly matter on the leaves of the plants. They should then 
be set to dry with their tops dowtiwards, that the mixture may drain 
from every part; for it is necessary that every part of the plant should 
be quite dry before it is planted. 
During the performance of the above operations, a sufficient num- 
ber of labourers should be employed in getting the Hot-house 
ready for the reception of the plants, (as changing the tan, and clean- 
ing every part of the Hot-house;) and if the inside of the roof were 
painted at the same time it would be better. Also, it might be ser- 
viceable, if a small fire was made in the pine pit with charcoal and 
