30^ THE GARDENER. [July 



frame or house wherein the plants are to winter and flower. I shall 

 endeavour to give the details of a two-light frame I used for that 

 purpose many years since, which was found most suitable. The 

 dimensions were: length, 7 feet 7 inches; length of sash, G feet 4 inches ; 

 height at back, 4 feet 10 inches ; and of front, 3 feet. The frame stood 

 on 6 stout feet, and had 8 inches of an opening all round, to secure 

 abundant ventilation from below. The back was furnished with a venti- 

 lator which extended the entire length ; this was situated near the top. 

 This ventilator w\as a deal G inches wide suspended by hinges, and 

 fitted in flush with the back of the frames. A similar ventilator was 

 in front. The interior of the frame was filled with a stage which rose to 

 a uniform distance with the sashes by means of being shelved, each 

 shelf being 5 inches wide, with a groove run out of the centre of each 

 to carry away the water drained from the pots ; distance of stage from 

 glass, 14 inches. Besides the glass roof, both ends were glazed, the 

 glass starting from the lowest or front shelf. Inside the frame, below, 

 was paved with dressed stones, as indeed the court in which both 

 Auricula and Polyanthus frames stood ; it was very dry, owing to the 

 declivity of the ground. 



At the commencement of October have all the plants examined. 

 Wash the pots, stir the surface of the soil, remove all moss and weeds, 

 as well as any withered portions of leaves close into the stems, for 

 such leaves become conductors of damp, and occasion the much-to- 

 be-feared gangrene. The frame is changed from a northern to a 

 southern aspect over winter, and wjtter withheld, except when there are 

 signs of flagging. Air constantly, unless in severe frost and foggy 

 weather ; this can be done w^hen it rains by letting down front and 

 back ventilators. In very severe frost the plants should be protected 

 by means of mats, and a piece of tarpaulin over them to preserve all dry. 

 Of course such covering must only be resorted to when unavoidable to 

 preserve the plants, and should daily be taken off to give them an in- 

 terval of light if at all possible. 



A. Kere. 

 {To he continued.) 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— JULY. 



If time can be spared to thin fruit properly, it is labour well spent, 

 both as regards securing good fruit and keeping the trees in good con- 

 dition for future work. This, however, applies to trained trees, and 

 those which have to be kept within bounds with the knife. Young trees 

 — as bushes — whether small fruit or large, are all the better of having 



