io PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



is essential for watering the plants. To create a good 

 appearance, narrow, ornamental rockeries may be arranged 

 at the edge of the side staging and beneath it, and in any 

 part of the basement available. These should be planted 

 with Begonias, Tradescantias, such ferns as are not likely 

 to be attacked by thrips, Selaginellas, Fittonias, and Ficus 

 repens, which are not liable to attacks from insects, whilst 

 their presence tends to preserve a healthy atmosphere in 

 the house. 



The rockeries beneath the staging should not be built 

 high enough to obstruct the passage of the heat from the 

 hot- water piping, a rise of one foot from the ground level 

 being sufficient. 



In the warm-house, Eucharis grandiflora and other species 

 of Eucharis ; Hymenocallis and Pancratiums, thrive and 

 bloom well beneath the staging. The inside of the roof should 

 be wired for suspending baskets containing Orchids, and 

 this should be done before the plants are placed in the house. 



As regards the form of structure, comparatively low, 

 span-roofed houses, with brick sides reaching to the eaves, 

 and no side glass, are the best, the ends being of brick 

 up to the height of the side walls, the remaining part 

 running up to the ridge, in all but very small houses, being 

 formed of wood and glass. If several houses are built, spaces 

 should be left between each house, and no two or more 

 houses should be built with partition walls, for these pre- 

 vent the necessary side ventilation. A house of 100 feet or 

 so in length should have a division midway in its length, 

 which for some purposes gives the advantages of two 

 houses. Pitch-pine or teak, being durable, are good woods 

 for the wood-work, and, in any case, the use of cheap, soft 



