470 



THE VILLA GARDENER. 



similar shrubs to be kept in the centre. For 338 



this pit, it may be as well to use Hartley's patent 



rough glass, which is generally thought best in 



panes 18 in. long, and 9 in. broad, as it does 



not require shading ; and the camellias and 



other similar plants are apt to have their leaves 



scorched if exposed to a very strong light. No 



means of heating these pits is shown, as, indeed, 



none is required ; for when the pit is filled with 



the store pots the glass at the top is covered 



with mats, during severe weather, and the frost is effectually kept out. 



514. Hot-heds for raising seeds, and striking some kinds of cuttings, are 

 generally found in bottomless wooden frames, with one or two lights. As 

 however fresh manure would be too strong for raising most ornamental flower- 

 ing plants, beds that have been used for cucumbers or melons are generally 

 chosen, after the fruit has been gathered, and the plants have been taken up 

 and thrown away. The bed is then stirred up, and perhaps a layer of fresh 

 soil, about 6 in. thick, is laid over the surface. In this the seeds maybe sown, 

 or the cuttings planted ; or the seeds or cuttings may be put in pots, and these 

 pots may be plunged in the bed. 



515, A greenhonse or pit, which will serve as a geranium-house, or heath- 

 house for holding the pots into which the young plants raised from cuttings 

 of geraniums, &c., have been put in spring, may be formed as shown in Jigs. 

 339. and 340. Fig. 339. shows the elevation of a small span-roofed green- 



^nn 



J i 



house or pit, in which a a are air-flues, covered with plain tiles, and b, tiles 

 covered with sand, to receive the plants. Fig. 340. shows the plan of the 

 same pit, in wich c c are small gratings to admit the air, and yet exclude the 

 vermin ; and d d are brick pillars to receive the tiles. This pit is admirably 

 calculated for keeping the hardier species of greenhouse plants which are 

 intended for bedding out, from the method of admitting air at the bottom, by 

 which thej' are gradually hardened, and the ease with which the lights are 

 taken ofl" when more air is required, they being only hung on with hooks-and- 

 eyes. There is also an ingenious way of covering the lights with mats, in 

 severe weather. The mats are fastened at one end to the ridge of the roof. 



