CHAPTER VII 

 MANAGEMENT OF GREENHOUSES 



THE management of greenhouses varies with the crops 

 to be grown, but some rules apply to all ranges. Often 

 success depends in a larger measure on the capabilities 

 of the caretaker, than on the soil, the temperature or the 

 moisture conditions in the houses. 



89. Neatness. A prime requisite for success -in plant 

 growing is that the houses be clean. Cleanliness adds, 

 not alone to the general appearance of prosperity, which 

 insures the confidence of the trade, but it has much to do 

 with the healthfulness of the crops grown. Too few 

 florists realize this. When dead foliage, papers and other 

 waste material are allowed to remain under benches and 

 along walks, they accumulate moisture, and the warm, 

 moist condition fosters the growth of many disease germs. 

 Sanitary conditions are as essential in greenhouses as 

 they are in the home. Disease spores are abundant 

 everywhere, and if the tissue which develops them is 

 allowed to accumulate in the houses, the rapidity with 

 which disease spreads is increased many-fold. The 

 walks should be swept frequently, the waste which accu- 

 mulates under the benches removed, and the interior 

 painted or whitewashed, at least once a year. 



90. Maintaining correct temperature. Most species 

 of plants have definite temperature requirements. If not 

 carefully maintained, abnormal growth results. Growth 



116 



