REGULATION OF TEMPERATURE 29 



the scorching and scalding of tender leaves, which are in 

 truth the lungs of the plants. 



Permanent shading is sometimes given by washing over 

 the inner surface of the glass in spring with " Summer 

 Cloud " or some similar composition, and not removing it 

 until the autumn, but it is only rarely expedient. Plants 

 subjected to constant shade soon get drawn up in a vain 

 attempt to reach the light, and their leaves grow pale and 

 sickly. Occasionally, however, shading of this kind may be 

 used with advantage in a Fern-house or for a conservatory 

 built in the eye of the sun, the tenants of which are con- 

 tinually shifting their quarters. In such cases permanent 

 shading *.*., for the summer may be an actual gain, but 

 no clouding of the glass looks well, and it is at best but a 

 poor makeshift. For many years, during the bright months, 

 I used fixed blinds with the best success in a sunny con- 

 servatory which had no established occupants. These were 

 made of very thin strips of wood painted green, through 

 which the light passed freely but with a softened shade as 

 of sunshine in a Hazel coppice, full of restful harmony. I 

 never saw such as these elsewhere, but in some positions 

 nothing could serve the purpose better, and many comments 

 of approval were bestowed upon them. In most plant- 

 houses of the kind under consideration, however, roller- 

 blinds are undoubtedly the best. Where these cannot for 

 any reason conveniently be fixed, tiffany may be fastened to 

 the rafters by hooks and rings, though at the expense of a 

 good deal of time and trouble in putting up and taking down. 

 It should be hooked to the rafters rather than to the sash 

 bars, to allow the hot air to circulate freely between the 

 shading and the glass. 



