CHAPTER XX. 
Greenhouse Requisites and Appliances. 
—E 
Jo REQUENT allusions are made to the South as “ Na- 
= ture’s Greenhouses,’”’ and in many instances is a very 
appropriate allusion, considering the many beautiful 
plants that grow spontaneous in the open air that in other 
climates would need a greenhouse protection. We have 
such an early Spring, and the absence of frost until late 
in the Fall, gives us a prolonged season to enjoy our 
plants and flowers. The fact that we have a long season, 
and a-short if any Winter, is no reason why we can en- 
tirely dispense with greenhouses. We cannot have hand- 
some lawns or door yards in Summer if we have not a 
proper place to store and propagate our plants during the 
Winter months. In many cases a pit will answer the 
purpose very well where only a limited number of plants 
are grown, and nothing more choice than a line of ordi- 
nary bedding plants kept in stock. 
HOW TO MAKE A PIT. 
A “pit’’ can be made very cheaply where it is neces- 
sary to do so; also can be put up at considerable expense 
if something permanentis desired. A pit may beas large 
or as small as the circumstances demands it. It should 
be dug about four or five feet deep, in a position well 
protected from the North, and presenting a full open 
front to the South, with the ends pointing directly East 
and West. Ifa permanent and completely secure pit is 
desired, it must be lined on the inside with a wall of 
brick, and built to about two feet above the surface on 
the front or South side, and from twelve to eighteen 
inches higher on the back or North side, with the end 
