86 GAKDEi^ING FOR PLEASURE. 



ground in May and June. The plants best suited for 

 flowering in winter may be divided into two classes. 

 First, those requiring a moderate temperature at night, 

 say an average of fifty degrees. In nearly all cases where 

 reference is made to " night temperature," it will be un- 

 derstood, that the ^^day temperature" should be ten to 

 fifteen degrees higher. This is to imitate, as far as pos- 

 sible, the conditions found for the best growth in the 

 natural temperature in the open air. Thus, we find in 

 this section of the country, tiiat in the open air we get 

 tiie most vigorous growth (in plants that are^natives 

 of temperate latitudes) from the middle of May to the 

 middle of June, and from the middle of September to 

 the middle of October. For most plants (such as Roses, 

 Carnations, Geraniums, etc.) the average temperature 

 of night and day should be between sixty-five and sev- 

 enty degrees, or fifty at night with fifteen degrees higher 

 in the daytime. Temperature is always taken by having 

 the thermometer hung in the shade ; for if exposed to 

 sunlight it will run sometimes fifteen to twenty degrees 

 higher, which would be deceptive. Whether the plants 

 are grown in the parlor or sitting-room of a private 

 dwelling, or in a greenhouse specially constructed for 

 their culture, the conditions should be as nearly as pos- 

 sible the same ; that is, uniformity of temperature 

 ranging from forty-five to fifty-five degrees at night, and 

 an avoidance of a dry atmosphere. It is easy enough in 

 the greenhouse to get a properly humid atmosphere by 

 sprinkling the paths with water ; but in a room in the 

 dwelling house, the only thing that can be done is to 

 place pans of water on the stove, furnace, or whatever 

 may be the source of heat. If plants are kept in a sit- 

 ting-room or parlor, an east, southeast, or south aspect 

 should be chosen. Plants of the class that mav be srrown 

 at an average temperature of fifty degrees at night are Aza- 

 leas, Abutilons, Ageratums, Carnations, Cinerarias, Catalo- 

 nian Jessamines, Cape Jessamines, Camellias, Callas, Cho- 



