iv.] FURNISHINGMETHOD OF SHADING 21 



as plants. There is no more trouble in growing the best 

 things of their kind than the worst, and there is very little 

 more cost. Mr Cannell, of Swanley, Kent, will send his 

 catalogue to those who write for it, and it is in itself an 

 inspiration. 



When once an amateur has selected a few dozen of 

 the Swanley plants, and they have been well treated, 

 very soon they will multiply and increase his store, so 

 that not only his own house will be filled with really 

 good plants, but he will have a great deal from which 

 he may enrich his neighbours. 



Again, the importance of shading must not be over- 

 looked. It is wonderful what a difference shading will 

 make in the greenhouse; it promotes an equable 

 temperature, and saves a world of time and trouble in 

 the matter of watering. There are some houses in which 

 it is most convenient to tack some lengths of tiffany 

 (sold in the seed shops) along the inside of the roof 

 which looks south. This can be removed in autumn, and 

 folded up for next year's use. But the method I prefer 

 is to prepare to the consistency of cream a mixture made 

 up of sour buttermilk (or hot water mixed with powdered 

 alum or size) with fine-ground whiting and a square of 

 blacking, or if a blue or green shade be preferred, a handful 

 of blue or green paint. This, artistically patted on the glass 

 with a whitewash brush, will last until the autumn rains wash 

 it away. It should be done on a fine morning, so that it 

 may be dry before rain or the fall of the dew. If the 

 greenhouse is low, as all greenhouses should be, a small 



