394 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Beds v. Benches. 



Of the two methods in use in growing plants, i.e., the 

 bench (Fig. 3) and the bed (Fig. 4), each has its advantage 

 with some kinds of plants. Tlie bed is tlie more easily 

 constructed, but must be thoroughly drained, and more care 

 is needed to keep the soil from getting into an unhealthful 

 condition, and if it once becomes too wet, it takes a long- 

 time to get it into a healthful condition again. With the 

 bench, a small amount of soil only being used, the soil can 

 be freely watered, and it will drain and dry out quicldy ; 

 and, while the small body of soil that is used does not allow 

 of a large supply of plant food, this can be supplied in a 

 concentrated form, and the bench thus be made to give 

 rather more certain results than the bed, especially when 

 cared for by unskilled help. 



In the care of plants under glass, the aim should be to 

 give them exactly the conditions under which they best 

 thrive out of doors, — a rich, fresh soil, an abundance of 

 water, yet not so much as to cause the soil to become sour 

 and stagnant, and plenty of sunlight and air. Close atten- 

 tion must be given to the temperature by night and by day, 

 the night temperature always being several degrees lower 

 than that of the day time. If this is reversed, or if the 

 temperature runs high after a long spell of cloudy weather, 

 many plants become sickly and unprofitable. 



Insects. 



As with crops out of doors, constant attention is required 

 to prevent injury from insect pests. The rule in regard to 

 this matter should be to destroy the first insect that appears, 

 and not wait until they become myriads, as they are sure to 

 do if not promptly treated. 



The soil, the amount of fertilizer to be used, the tempera- 

 ture required, the time and quantity of water to be used in 

 the growth of flower and vegetable plants, are questions the 

 details of which require too extended discussion for the limits 

 of this article, and the reader is referred to the numerous 

 books on the subject, and to th(; many successful growers 

 who may be found in almost every section of the State. 



