THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 365 



siderable period, and this would be, in a great measure, according to 

 the degree of light it admitted. 



In mild weather the doors and windows might be thrown open, 

 and in frosty weather a small stove or fireplace might be used with 

 moderation, though of course the plant would be best without it, if 

 the entrance of frost can be otherwise prevented ; or part of a 

 stable, or loft over a stable, where there is considerable warmth 

 below, might, by the assistance of short, dry hay, placed between 

 the pots and plants, be made available for the purpose. The plants 

 which it is possible to keep by such means are old Fuchsias, Hydran- 

 geas, Brugmansias, Myrtles, Tea Roses, Agave, Agapanthus, old 

 scarlet and other G-eraniums, in pots, vases, or fancy boxes ; also 

 the old plants taken from the borders, and packed thickly in pots or 

 boxes to be potted off in spring. These latter should be taken in 

 before frost strikes the bark of the stem, and all leaves larpjer than 

 a half-crown should be cut off, with all straggling shoots. Fuchsias 

 should be left unpruned until the approach of spring. Myrtles or 

 Neriums should be kept from dessication by small allowances of 

 water occasionally, if required. Deciduous plants and geraniums 

 will scarcely require it. The other class of plants I have alluded 

 to are such as require a closer atmosphere than that of the green- 

 house, with, if possible, a little bottom-heat, in order to bring them 

 into proper trim for taking their place in the greenhouse or drawing- 

 room flower-stand, for the earlier these can be had in flower, the 

 more will they be appreciated. They consist of all the sorts of 

 Dutch bulbs, Dielytra spectabilis, Lily of the Valley, Musk Eoses, 

 Deutzia gracilis, or any varieties of hardy shrubs that may have 

 received proper treatment during the past summer to fit them for a 

 slight forcing. These, of course, can be brought to perfection at 

 almost any period of the winter, where a proper forcing pit exists ; 

 but supposing that we are writing for those with limited means only, 

 we will presume that a melon-pit only is available, without hot 

 water or flues to heat it ; as soon, then, as sufficient leaves can be 

 obtained to half fill it, or, indeed, as they are gathered, they may be 

 put in, and, being protected from wet by the lights, will sooner 

 commence to heat : these will aftbrd bottom-heat, and assist also the 

 atmospheric heat ; the rest must be secured by shutting up the solar 

 rays when they can be caught, and by the application of linings of 

 leaves and dung outside the pit. Air, however, must be given in the 

 forenoon of fine days, shutting up early, so as to secure all the 

 warmth possible in the afternoon. The rising of the temperature 

 from the sun's rays after it has passed the meridian may be safely 

 indulged in, but mischief may arise from the same course before 

 that time, if air is not given. In frosty weather, straw and refuse 

 hay may be piled against the pit walls, and a covering of hay and 

 mats over the glass. As the plants approach a flowering state, they 

 may be removed to the sitting-rooms or greenhouse ; and if the pit 

 is not required very early for cucumbers or melons, some of the 

 bedding plants may be introduced, to afl"ord cuttings ; or some of 

 the plants from the loft, shed, or outhouse may be exhumed from 

 their hiding-place, and here receive rather better treatment. 



