22 



PROPAGATING HOUSES AND PITS. 



" pob," the latter being, say, a foot or eighteen inches thick. 

 Over this substance a few inches of fine sandy compost is placed 

 to receive the seeds or cuttings. Beds made of " pob " retain 

 their gentle and regular heat for several months, the only diffi- 

 culty being to get the refuse flax thoroughly moistened, either 

 with warm water or steam, previous to its being used. These 

 low frames are very useful for raising seedling Rhododendrons, 

 Aucubas, Araucarias, and many other handsome ornamental 



Pob Frame. 



garden or forest trees or shrubs ; and in every garden they 

 deserve a place, as, when not wanted for propagating purposes, 

 they form admirable shelter for choice alpine and herbaceous 

 plants in pots. For the propagation of many herbaceous plants 

 from cuttings and especially for Auriculas, Pinks, Carnations, 

 Pelargoniums, Pentstemons, Wallflowers, Phlox, &c. light 

 wooden frames covered with oiled tea-paper are very useful, as 

 they economise sun-heat by preventing radiation 'during the 

 night ; indeed, in this respect they are superior to hand-lights. 



