CHAPTER XXX 



SECOND WEEK IN AUGUST 



NOW that the spring blossoms are over, the conservatory 

 depends largely on the gesneraceous plants and 

 tuberous begonias for its summer decoration. All 

 the scarlet and pink geraniums (which are so useful for 

 winter flowering) are now in the open air, and gloxinias, 

 streptocarpi, tydaeas, 1 achimenes, and other less well-known 

 members of the great gesneraceous family take their place, 

 with begonias, liliums, cannas, and other plants in variety. 

 Baskets of achimenes and begonias hang from the roof under 

 the half-shade of the climbers (for they do not like the full 

 sunshine), and the pure white bells of the crinum of South 

 Africa (C. capense) are conspicuous amongst the smaller 

 plants. Constant rearrangement is necessary in the green- 

 house at this time of year, for growth is rapid, and plants 

 are apt to injure each other if allowed to touch ; moreover, 

 they will turn their faces to the sunshine in whatever 

 position they are, and this sometimes needs attention. 



The climbing roses on the roof, the oleanders, and the 

 ferns near the ground will all be glad of a light syringing 

 every evening ; but this must be done with care and judg- 

 ment to avoid injury to the open blossoms below them, 

 gloxinias especially suffering severely from a douche bath. 



Each warm day in summer the conservatory is damped 

 down at noon, as well as the vineries. This is of great use to 

 the gesneraceous plants (all of which need moisture in the 

 air) as well as to the climbing roses, and these must be care- 



1 See p. 60. 

 283 



