506 THE GREEN-HOUSE. [Sept. 
<l Naturalists, (says Pliny) admit of distinction of sex not only in 
trees, but in herbs, and all plants; yet this is no where more ob- 
servable than in Palms, the females of which never propagate but 
when they are fecundated by the dust of the male." 
JVote. Those who wish to become scientifically acquainted with 
the Linnaan, or sexual system of plants, will be greatly edified by 
consulting that very valuable work, the " Elements of Botany," 
published in 1 803, by the late Benj amin Smith Barton, M. D. Pro- 
fessor of Materia Medica, Natural History, and Botany, in the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. 
THE GREEN-HOUSE. 
In the eastern states, between the fifteenth and latter end of this 
month, according to local situations, the nights will be getting 
cold, and consequently the more tender kinds of Green-house plants 
must be taken in, before they change their colour by too much cold, 
leaving the hardy sorts out as long as there is no danger of their 
being attacked by frost. 
Some people are desirous to keep out their plants as long as 
possible, this is a very right, but it ought not to be extended to too 
hazardous a period, for one night's frost would cause the leaves to 
lose their fine green colour, which perhaps might not be restored 
during the whole winter; and if any way severe, serious injury might 
be sustained. 
If the windows and doors are kept open, day and night, as long as 
there is safety in so doing, the plants will be nearly as well off as if 
in the open air, and no danger is encountered: the mere differ- 
ence of five or six d.-ys in the taking in of the plants will insure 
safety; but on the other hand, it is not right to be too precipitate in 
housing them, before the common appearance of the weather indi- 
cates the necessity. 
For further particulars respecting the housing of the plants, see 
next month, which is the period for doing that business in the mid- 
dle states. 
In the middle and other states, where frosts do not frequently ap- 
pear before th^middle of October, the plants are to be taken care 
of as directed in the preceding months; observing to decrease 
the usual supply of water, in proportion to the moistness and 
coldness of the weather, for the administering of it too copiously, 
when there is not a necessity, would be very injurious. And let it 
be particularly observed, that as soon as the cold nights set in, which 
may be about the middle of this month, or sooner, the water must be 
given to the plants in the morning, for if given late in the afternoon, 
