102 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



It will do them great good, and give them robust constitutions, and 

 enable them to stand any extremes they may be exposed to ; just as 

 when we ourselves take plenty of open-air exercise, we are not so 

 liable to catch colds in windy and cold weather as those who keep 

 indoors afraid for a breath of air to blow upon them. 



In the management of the miniature greenhouse we constructed 

 in a former chapter, airing is one of the principal things connected 

 with it. Do not be afraid of giving it air during fine weather — 

 during the summer especially. Before the morning sun is much on 

 it, you should give it a sprinkling with water at about 65 or 70 

 degrees of heat, all round the inside and over the plants, with a 

 small syringe or fine rose. This refreshes the plants and raises a 

 soft moist atmosphere in which they delight. This you will clearly 

 understand if you have noticed how refreshed everything in nature 

 looks after a summer shower, and how robustly everything grows in 

 showery summer weather. As I told you before, the leaves and 

 stalks of plants have innumerable little pores all over their surface, 

 through which they inhale moisture from the air around. Now this 

 damping of your little greenhouse is like giving the plants a pleasant 

 draught which they drink up greedily. Of course this is summer 

 treatment ; during spring and autumn it is seldom necessary, as the 

 days are so much cooler. 



About half an hour or more after syringing, open the top airing 

 an inch or so ; an hour after that, open it half up, and by ten or 

 eleven o'clock you will be able to lift it up full, and if the day is 

 very sunny draw down your blind then. At midday open the front 

 airing for two hours or so. Front airing, however, need not be 

 given in dull days, and never during spring or autumn, but when 

 the sun is very hot. The front airing should be taken off about 

 two o'clock, or as soon as the full glare of the sun is past. When 

 the sun is slanting from the west draw up the blind and reduce the 

 top airing half; then, a little before sunset, shut it oif, except half 

 an inch to allow the exit of steam which will arise, for you have now 

 to water your plants if they are dry, and then syringe again as you 

 did in the morning. The half inch of air may be taken off at bed- 

 time. During very warm summer weather, it is better left on all 

 night to keep the plants cool. This is the proper treatment to give 

 your little greenhouse. I wish you to consider what I have said 

 about it earnestly. I have told you in as plain words as I can, and 

 I hope you will follow the directions I have given. Read them over 

 often till you have a clear idea what to do, and there is no fear of 

 your being unsuccessful in its management. Tou will notice I have 

 not said anything about winter treatment for your greenhouse. 

 This is hardly necessary, for, unless you can heat it, the plants must 

 be all brought inside the window at the approach of winter. Here 

 I will tell you a very simple contrivance by which you can have your 

 plants in your greenhouse for a considerable part of winter, when no 

 severe frost is in the air. If the night is frosty or cold, fill a stone 

 jar — what is commonly called a greybeard will do — full of hot water, 

 and place it inside your greenhouse after sunset. Have another hot 

 one to replace the cold one at bed-time. This warms the greenhouse 



