1873.] HINTS FOR THE WINTER, ETC. 487 



covered at night in severe weather ; and we are certain that many will 

 endorse our views and experience that it saves much coal, and is better 

 for Pines and winter Cucumbers to keep up the required temperature 

 by the assistance of coverings, than to do it by sheer hard firing 

 without them. To arrest the immensely rapid radiation of heat that 

 goes on from the surface of a glass-house, where a comparatively high 

 temperature is required, by a covering, cannot but be beneficial in its 

 results to plants as compared with highly-heated pipes and compar- 

 atively parched air. And to any one who has a small glass-house 

 from which frost has to be excluded, we say, cover as much of it, 

 especially the roof, as possible ; it will save your coals and be vastly 

 better for your plants. 



But there are many of our readers who have to protect plants in pits 

 to which no fire-heat can be applied, and to whom the foregoing 

 remarks are comparatively valueless. A few remarks as to how they 

 can best cope with hard weather may be opportune at this the 

 approach of winter; and we will here repeat part of instructions 

 which we wrote twelve years ago. There is one condition at which they 

 must aim, of the very first importance — thatis dryness. Whenever tender 

 plants have to be saved by mere protection, dryness is of vast moment. 

 All about the pit should be dry, and the inside of it should be open 

 and thoroughly drained. Indeed, if a staging slightly elevated above 

 the floor can be afi'orded all the better. To prepare the plants for a 

 long cover up and darkness in such pits, they should be kept dry to 

 the drooping point. They should also be regularly exposed to air 

 during dry weather. This, and the removal of all decayed or crowd- 

 ing foliage in the case of Geraniums and other soft-wooded plants, 

 assists in producing a state of maturity and firmness and rest too, 

 which will enable them to withstand a cold, confined, damp atmos- 

 phere, and the absence of light, wdth the least possible injury when 

 they have to be covered up for days, and it may be weeks at a time. 



The manner in which such plants are covered and uncovered during 

 a severe, and it may be a changeable winter, has much to do with suc- 

 cess. The best non-conducting material is some dry loose material, 

 such as hay or straw, and the drier and more loosely it is applied the 

 better. In covering with, perhaps, a mat and dry litter, the too 

 common method of applying them is first to lay the mats on the 

 glass, and the loose litter over all. This should just be reversed; the 

 litter should be put next the glass, and the mat over all, making sure 

 that the hay or straw lies as loosely and open as possible, thus ensuring 

 as much air amongst it as can be. A piece of strong calico or can- 

 vas dipped in oil, to make it waterproof, is about the best outside 

 covering for cold pits. 



