ON THE GERANIUM HOUSE. 255 



Heaths, Geraniums, and most fine flowering greenhouse plants, 

 should never be allowed to become old or large, as such plants, 

 for the most part, do not flower so fine or look so well, as young 

 plants do. Houses of this description should be rather long and 

 narrow, because in that case the plants are more within reach, 

 and are much better seen than when they are placed too far from 

 the eye, which they often are when the house is either too lofty 

 or too wide. 



This would be a very complete Geranium house, and would be 

 an object both light and elegant in the flower garden if placed 

 detached from other buildings, or it would be equally well placed 

 if more desirable, when attached to the dwelling by one of its 

 ends. The height of such a house should not exceed seven feet 

 over the foot paths, which will be suflicient to admit of a free 

 passage ; for the lower such houses are, the better, so that there 

 be plenty of head room. The length of all plant houses must be 

 determined by local circumstances ; but so far as heating is con- 

 cerned, and we think it proper to mention that here, one fire, 

 whether employed to heat a boiler of water or warm the smoke 

 flues, will heat a house of this width and height, above one hun- 

 dred feet in length. A span-roofed house we prefer for Gerani- 

 ums, as the plants enjoy plenty of air, light, and solar influence, 

 and are seen to great advantage. A span-roofed house similar to 

 the above statement, if fifty feet in length, will contain nearly as 

 many plants as one in the lean-to fashion of one hundred feet in 

 length; and in regard to expense of erection will be much less. 



In speaking of shading the most delicate heaths during the 

 heat of summer, we would also recommend the same provision to 

 be used for the Geranium house, while the plants are in bloom. 

 The expense will be amply remunerated by the greater length of 

 time the plants will remain in bloom, and the richness of the 

 colours of the flowers, which, if exposed to the full solar influ- 

 ence, would be very much injured. The upright lights over the 

 parapet walls should be made to take out, as during the great 

 part of the season they will be better removed, in order that a 

 free circulation of air be permitted to pass through the house ; 

 but they should be replaced in stormy, windy weather. This 

 mode of ventilation will render the opening the roof seldom ne- 

 cessary, guarding also against sudden showers of rain, which 

 would be very injurious to the finest flowers. 



