CHAP. V VILLA GARDENING 173 



leggy, drawn skeletons that cannot be moved for fear of exposing 

 their nakedness. No two plants should absolutely touch each 

 other on the stages when growing, and of course, if we start with 

 a collection, of Pelargoniums or any other plants in spring, as the 

 season advances they will require double the amount of space if 

 justice is to be done them. And the question will come up for 

 decision, Shall we have a few well-grown plants, or permit all to 

 remain and have nothing but clusters of foliage bearing a few 

 flowers at the tops 1 The proper course is to keep gradually 

 weeding out the worst plants as the space is required for the best 

 — taking care, by frequent change of position, that every side of the 

 plants has a fair share of light. It is not often that the thinnings 

 of the greenhouse need be thrown away ; there are usually cold 

 frames which will afford protection enough with a covering of mats 

 after the middle of March, and sometimes the weedings from the 

 greenhouse make excellent plants later on when treated to a cool 

 regimen. In the majority of gi-eenhouses in the country, especially 

 in small places, too much artificial heat is employed at night when 

 there are no means of correcting the aridity of the atmosphere by 

 the admission of fresh air. In cold weather ordinary greenhouse 

 plants will take no harm if the thermometer falls to freezing point, 

 if they have at no time of their existence been coddled. Of course 

 when the thermometer reaches 32° it is verging on the dangerous ; 

 but I want to impress upon my readers that it is better, in severe 

 weather, to permit the temperature to fall as low as is consistent 

 with absolute safety than to keep nervously firing away, and by 

 so doing lower the vital principle of the plants and make them 

 fall an easy prey to insects. Keep the fire low and steady, at the 

 same time consult the barometer and thermometer, so as to anti- 

 cipate any atmospheric change, and not prepare for a cold night 

 by extra firing, and find on rising in the morning that a thaw has 

 set in. 



Watering. — This should be done with judgment and care, 

 especially in winter, selecting the bright sunny mornings, when 

 the lights can be opened to let out the damp, to give all that need 

 it a liberal allowance. Never water a plant at all -nathout giving 

 enough to run through. It is a common fault with young hands 

 to pour a little on the top Avithout taking the trouble to ascertain 

 if the whole of the soil is moistened, and after a time the ball at 

 the bottom, where all the best roots are situated, becomes dust 

 dry. I have already said something about 



Ventilation, and its importance cannot be overrated, nor its 

 influence upon growing plants exaggerated. The condition of the 

 air, its relation to the external atmosphere, its purity and aridity. 



