138 THE UNHEATED GREENHOUSE 



the more surely to be safe from drip and bloom all the 

 better for it. Scarborough Lilies (Vallota purpurea), on the 

 contrary, being more or less evergreen, must be kept growing 

 all the year round. The drying-off system, though admirable 

 in many cases, does not always answer a fact which has been 

 proved with regard to Cyclamens, which formerly used to be 

 so treated. I had a fine Persian Cyclamen for many years, 

 treasured in memory of a friend, which literally gave hundreds 

 of flowers every season. The corm was re-potted immediately 

 after the blooming was over, and the pot sunk in a bed of hot- 

 bed refuse prepared for plants which were benefited by such 

 treatment and kept watered. The old leaves soon disappeared, 

 new ones taking their place almost at once, and nothing could 

 have been more satisfactory than the result. When I see it 

 stated, as I often do, that two-year-old corms of Cyclamen are 

 of little value, fit only for the rubbish-heap, I call to mind my 

 ancient comrade who fought the battle of life for many years 

 so bravely, and sigh to think of the waste of good plants 

 which, with a little care, might give delight to many who 

 cannot afford the luxury of buying them. 



A brass syringe is a very useful help in watering a shower 

 overhead being both refreshing and cleansing to most plants, 

 and a terror to red spider. Ferns, however, and more par- 

 ticularly Maidenhairs, though they love a damp atmosphere 

 about them, are not improved by having their fronds wetted. 

 In truth, there is scarcely any part of greenhouse work which 

 has to be learnt by experience so much as watering. Yet, oddly 

 enough, in the absence of the rightful owner the watering-pot 

 is generally entrusted with a light heart to any one willing to 

 undertake the office of using it, without a thought of 

 Nemesis. 



A word may here be said on the use of Insecticides. In an 

 unheated greenhouse there should be little occasion for such 

 applications. Blight of all kinds, especially mealy-bug and 



