150 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



bered that the pipes must rise from the boiler to the extent of 

 about an inch in every eight or ten feet, in order to facilitate the 

 flow of the water along the return pipe back to the boiler after it 

 has been round the house and parted with most of its heat. The 

 pipes are connected in various ways, but perhaps most commonly 

 by means of india-rubber rings, which are fixed over the spigot 

 ends, and then forced into the sockets. 



Coke broken small, and mixed with cinders from the house 

 fires, is the best fuel for small, upright boilers. It is useless to 

 use large coke or coal, for either will "cake," and the fire go out. 

 Some little study is needed to stoke successfully, particularly in 

 making up the fires the last thing at night, when they have to go 

 several hours without attention. Coke and anthracite coal are 

 both used extensively for large boilers. 



Soil. Most glass-house plants will thrive in a mixture of 

 loam, leaf-mould, and sand; and in order to avoid repetition later 

 on, one or two alternative composts may be given now. When we 

 come to deal with the individual plants we can refer to these 

 mixtures, or indicate a special soil if required. The following 

 may be taken as suitable for any plant dealt with unless a special 

 compost is indicated : 



No. i. 



Two-thirds of fibrous loam. 



One-sixth of leaf-mould. 



One-sixth of decayed manure. 



Mix the above well, incorporating at 

 the same time a quantity of sand equal 

 to about one-eighth of the whole, or half 

 a peck per bushel. 



No. 2. 



Three parts of fibrous loam. 



One part of leaf-mould. 



Add sand as before, and likewise one 

 thirty-second part, or a quart per bushel, 

 of superphosphate. The latter takes the 

 place of the decayed manure. 



A special word may be devoted to the various ingredients of 

 these two composts. Fibrous loam is far the most important of 

 any constituent of soils for the majority of greenhouse and room 

 plants, and the gardener who is bent upon succeeding will not 

 allow himself to be put off it lightly. It really cannot be properly 



