MANAGEMENT OF PLANTS. 
29 
heat should be admitted, just sufficient to keep out 
the frost, as it is best not to overheat them at the 
commencement of the winter, but let the tempera- 
ture gradually lessen or many Plants may be excited 
to grow before they have recruited their strength, 
especially such as have been lately repotted. As 
soon as winter sets in, they will require heat suffi¬ 
cient to keep out the frost, and in very cold weather 
the windows must be kept close, but every fine day they 
should have air by letting down an upper sash, which 
is the best to open as the heated air given out at the top 
will moderate the cold air coming in, and it should 
be shut up early in the afternoon. The best time 
to admit air is from ten A. M. till two or three P. M., 
but in cold windy days or very severe weather it is best 
to keep them closed. The Plants should be looked 
over occasionally to pick off all dead leaves, and any 
that have insects or dirt on them should be washed with 
a sponge with soap and water, and where the sur¬ 
face of the mould has become green or foul, it should be 
removed with a piece of flat stick, but not deep enough 
to injure the roots, and a little fresh soil should be laid 
over them. As the spring advances they will require 
a more plentiful supply of air and water, which should 
be given them as often as the soil in the pots becomes 
dry, but they should not be kept saturated all the time as 
that would injure their roots, norletflag much for want 
of it, as that would check their growth, and cause the 
leaves to drop off. They should have as much air in fine 
days as can be admitted, as it will prevent their draw¬ 
ing up weakly, and any Plants in small pots that begin 
to show their flower buds or the roots protruding out 
