GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



249 



admits unlimited air. It is a real climate improver. With 

 its aid we can raise vegetables, flowers, or other seedlings, 

 as required, and an occasional spring of lettuce, mustard 

 and cress, or other salad, during hot, dry weather. And 

 thus from four to six weeks can be gained in growing 

 early vegetables. Lettuce, radishes, early cabbage, 

 tomatoes, celery, egg-plants, mustard, &c., may be sown in 

 the frame by the first of February, and amply repay the 

 little extra trouble it will be to care for them. 



The Bush House. This is becoming and deservely so, 

 a special feature of the Australian garden. It may be a 

 very simple affair, or it can be as elaborate and fanciful as 

 taste and outlay allow of. The principle is the same, and 

 that is to get sha de, and shelter, without shutting out the 

 air. To effect this, any framework can be set up, of any 

 desired form or size. The roof should be high, to make it 

 convenient, say eight feet at least. Then the sides and 

 roof are covered with bush material, laid as evenly and 

 neatly as possible. The brushwood of young tee-tree 

 answers admirably ; laths and 2x1 hardwood are also 

 used ; also bamboo blind stuff, and close mesh wire netting. 



All that is required 

 is to divert the direct 

 rays of the sun, and 

 to break the force of 

 heavy rain. In very 

 exposed places, it is 

 desirable to make 

 the sides from which 

 drying winds come 

 as close as conven- 

 ient. In a house, or shelter arranged in this way, the 

 growth is immense. Where water can be spared, the 

 place becomes delightful. It is evergreen, literally, and in 

 addition to the plants, ferns, &c., that do so well when 

 thus protected, seeds, can bo raised for the flower garden, 

 and where there is space, for the vegetable garden as well. 

 Nurserymen and gardeners are taking more advantage of 

 the opportunities tlie bush house oHV-rs for raising seed- 

 lings of all kinds. Some have over an acre of bush house 



Securing Bottom Heat. 



