THAP. X VILLA GARDEXINO 367 



most economical to clear them out and start afresh with clean 

 pluuging materials and fresh plants. To make a wash, dissolve 6 

 oz. of soft soap, or the same quantity of Gishurst compound per 

 gallon of water, adding a wineglassful of paraffin oil to each gallon 

 of liquid. If the plants are very bad, they might be shaken out of 

 their pots and dipped in the mixture, suflicient having been made 

 for that piu-pose in a tub. After dipping, lay them on their sides 

 to drain and dry. In some cases, perhaps, a second dipping may 

 be necessary. Afterwards the plants may have a few of their 

 bottom leaves removed, their base trimmeil with a sharp knife, 

 and then be repotted in clean pots and new soil. When the plants 

 are not badly infested a careful sponging over may suffice. If the 

 mealy bug gets among them it will give much trouble, but it will 

 yield to persistent washing in the above mixtm-e. The presence of 

 either of these insects in a collection is evidence of bad culture and 

 weakly plants. 



Temperatures. — From October to Christmas anight tempera- 

 ture of 60°, dro]iping down to 55° in the mornings in cold weather, 

 will be safe — day temperatures to be 10° higher without sun- 

 shine. Fruitiug-houses should be from 5° to 10° warmer, with a 

 bottom-heat of 75° to 80°. With the longer days and rising 

 temperature of spring, both night and day temperatures may be 

 increased 5°. In summer a good deal can be done with sun-heat, 

 as on bright afternoons after syringing the thermometer may rise 

 to 90° or 100° witli benefit. 



Varieties. — The Queen is the best Pine for summer. There 

 are several varieties ; but for a small collection the common variety 

 and the Moscow Queen will be enough. For Avinter the Black 

 Jamaica and Smooth Cayenne are the best. Charlotte Rothschilds 

 may be added. 



CHAPTER X 



The Melon. — A low span-roofed house or pit, partly sunk in the 

 ground, witliout any side glass, with ventilators low down, near 

 the ground, so that the external air may come in contact with the 

 warm pipes on entrance, is suitable for the cultivation of this fruit. 

 The ridge piece or cap should lift up with a lever for the egress of 

 the vitiated air. There shoidd be a 4-foot path down the centre, 

 with a 3-foot bed on each side to plant the Melons in. If the 

 house is 1 2 feet wide, it will require two 4-inch pipes all round for 

 top-heat, and two for bottom-heat in each pit, to be laid in loose 

 rubble, with a drain-pipe let in at intervals, for tlie purpose of 



