CHAP. I VILLA GARDENING 143 



tender for the opeu air, except in the most sheltered phxces, and 

 even there it frequently loses its freshness before the summer is 

 over ; but in a cool conservatory, well supplied with water, it is quite 

 at home. The best 



Materials for Paths are Minton tiles; they are always 

 clean, and do not generate dust. The soil for the borders shoidd 

 be chiefly loam and peat. All bits of Fern root or stick which, 

 in its decay, may generate fungus, should be taken away when 

 the soil is being prepared. The soil as it is placed in posi- 

 tion should be made firm to prevent too much settling after the 

 jilants are in. Some settlement there will be, no matter what is 

 done ; but if valuable plants such as specimen Camellias or choice 

 Rhododendrons are planted in loose soil, there is a danger of their 

 getting too low down in the border, and if the collar of the plant 

 is covered too much the plants will turn yellow and die. I have 

 no doiibt that a good deal of mischief is done in this way in the 

 planting of new conservatories. Whenever a specimen of consider- 

 able size in a conservatory border looks sickly, examine the stem 

 and see how deep the plant is in the ground ; if the collar is bmied 

 lifting alone can save its life. If the garden is small — that is, com- 

 paratively, and there are no relays of plants coming on else- 

 where for the conservatory ; if the latter has in a great measure 

 to be self-supporting; and if, in addition, there is no staft" of 

 gardeners to attend to the wants of the plants — then I think it 

 will be much the best way to plant most of them out in the 

 borders, only leaving spots here and there for groups of Geraniums 

 in summer, and for bulbs. Cinerarias, and Prinudas in winter and 

 spring. If good loam can be obtained, the borders should be 

 made up chiefly with it. Lighter, richer compost will produce too 

 rapid growth. Short-jointed wood is better for flowering than more 

 rapid elongation, and under such conditions the plants do not get 

 out of hand so soon, which is an important requisite in a house of 

 the character under consideration. 



The Heating and Ventilating of the conservatoiy are very 

 important matters ; a good deal of the success of the house — viewed 

 as a show house — depends upon these matters being rightly carried 

 out. The winter night-temperature, if the house is to be a home 

 for forced flowers, with an occasional consignment on party nights 

 from the stove, shoidd not fall much below 50", or say 45° as the 

 minimum. The day temperature should be 10° or so higher, or a 

 little more Avith sunshine. Where forced flowers are not intro- 

 duced, and no special eflbrt is made to keep the house gay in 

 winter, a much lower temperature will sufiice. As regards ventila- 

 tion, no hard or fast rule should be followed. Ventilate freely 



