THK PLANT WORIvD 24a 



there might not be the same incentive to loiter at any particular spot to 

 " start " a bud. Perhaps in the case of a dying trunk all the strength 

 of the sap would be concentrated in forcing its upward flow, and as soon 

 as it reached a bud possibly its energy would be directly exerted upon 

 that particular point. 



Unfortunately a photograph was not secured of the cabbage-like 

 growth before it was cut away. The branches on the right of the tree are 

 long and scraggy. To test the " flannel cure," bandages have been ap- 

 plied, the wish being to better balance the tree. 



A Combined Pit and Greenhouse. — A greenhouse suited to many places 

 in the South is made as follows : Dig a pit 4>^ feet deep, 8 feet wide, 

 and 14 feet long. The site should be well drained to prevent water 

 standing in the pit and the long side should face south. Along the mid- 

 dle of the pit build a plank walk 2 feet wide laid on supports 2 /^ feet 

 high. On each side of the walk make benches raised on supports level 

 with the top of the pit, each 3 feet wide. Now you are ready to build 

 the brick back and sides. A double plank wall filled in with sawdust or 

 dry earth will do if brickwork is too expensive. The back wall is 7)4 

 feet high with a door in the center 2/4x6 feet. The side walls slope 

 from the top of the rear to a sill laid on the ground across the front. 

 Plates are laid on the faces of the end walls and fastened to the sill 3/^ 

 feet apart, and three 2 x 4-inch rafters are placed from the top of the wall 

 to the front side. Two feet from the top lay across from end to end a 

 piece 2x4 inches and shingle over the top. This saves that much glass 

 and makes it easier to handle the sash. 



Have the sash made 3/4 feet wide and 5 feet long, and lay the lower 

 ones on the rafters, screwing them by a hinge to the sill. The upper 

 sash are fastened similarly by a hinge to the cross-piece above and lap 

 over the lower sash. 



Now make steps from the door down to the plank walk — a space for 

 them should have been left when the bench was put up. Cover the 

 benches with sand and all is ready for the flowers. You can now enter 

 by the door, stand on the plank walk and reach any flower on either side 

 and raise any sash as wanted for ventilation. Stop all cracks and white- 

 wash the inside. A tub of water put in the end of the pit will be a great 

 convenience. A narrow shed, 5 feet wide, built back of the pit and 

 closed, except at one end, is very convenient also for potting plants and 

 storing various things. 



We have had a greenhouse like this in use twenty years and have 

 found it very satisfactory. The advantage in this plan is that the tem- 

 perature is moderated by the pit and you can go in and out in any kind 

 of weather. — The Southern Farmer. 



