376 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Usually, the temperature ranged from forby-flve at night to sixty-five in 

 the middle of the day; though on bright, sunny days it would sometimes 

 rise to eighty or ninety, and only once did it touch thirty-nine. 



We had thought in the tall that we would be quite satisfied with the 

 experiment if half of the plants lived until spring. 



We had no expectation of their growing to amount to anything, still 

 less of having any flowers. You can imagine our satisfaction when they 

 not only lived, but grew and bloomed. There was hardly a day all winter 

 when something was not in blossom. And this, too, when, on account of 

 being in the school room, I could give them a little care only on Satur- 

 days. 



Time will not permit the naming of the many different varieties that 

 were wintered safely in the pit. With one exception, every kind tried 

 lived, while many did exceedingly well. Coleus, however, positively 

 refused to winter there, even in the warmest and sunniest places, though 

 they seemed well pleased with their quarters last summer, and bright- 

 ened up the pit wondrously with their gorgeous colors. 



Bulbs did extra well. We had a fine chance t j compare the growth and 

 bloom of a half-dozen varieties of these in the pit with the same Icindsi 

 bought at the same time and place, but grown in a bay window. Ours 

 were much finer both in foliage and flower, while they lasted several 

 weeks longer. Begonias did exceedingly well. Even the red varieties, 

 that usually present such a forlorn appearance as grown in the window, 

 retained bright healthy foliage here. Ferns grew luxuriantly, roses blos- 

 somed and carnations seemed perfectly at home. Even small cactus cut- 

 tings rooted and were ready to tegin growing in the spring. To be sure, 

 there were some losses, but they were mostly caused by neglect, over-water- 

 ing or lack of air. For any one wishing to cultivate a great number of 

 plants, the pit has many advantages over the window; though the 

 windows do not need to be devoid of flowers. A few choice plants can 

 easily be taken at any time from the pit, to be returned again for rest when 

 necessary, and will give a much finer effect than a miscellaneous collection 

 so crowded together that the grace and beauty of the individual plant is 

 lost. 



Stated as concisely as possible, a few of the advantages are these: 



1. More plants can be taken care of with the same amount of time 

 and labor. 



2. There is little or no cost for fuel. The atmosphere being a little 

 moist causes a healthier growth. The cool air keeps the flowers perfect 

 a much longer time than in the house. 



3. There is no dust to spoil their beauty or to retard growth. 



4. They can be sprinkled or watered so much mdre easily. 



5. There is very little trouble with insects unless introduced with new 

 plants. 



6. They can be shut in and left weeks at a time even in the coldest 

 weather, without fear that the fire will be too low or some choice plant be 

 left too near the window, or that they will be over-watered or left to dry 

 out. 



A few things are essential to make a pit a complete success. It should 

 be made early in the season, so that the plants may become accustomed 

 to their surroundings before being shut in for the winter. 



