THE HOUSING OF PLANTS. 6 1 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE HOUSING OF PLANTS. 



Housing the plants should be completed by the end of 

 September, as it is not wise to run any risk after having 

 got so far. In low-lying districts the plants must be 

 housed a little sooner than those on the hills, fogs and 

 early frosts being more troublesome. 



Every grower has to arrange his plants according to 

 the accommodation at his disposal ; therefore that must be 

 a matter left pretty much to himself. But, having cleaned 

 the house, next clean the plants by taking off all decayed 

 or partly-decayed leaves, and tap the plants well with the 

 hand to dislodge any caterpillars or earwigs, and syringe 

 or sprav them to check mildew, etc. 



Begin the housing by taking the tallest plants in first, 

 for a gale may come on and make sad havoc among them 

 at any time, and, of course, the tallest suffer most. Any 

 that have shown colour should first be put under cover ; 

 then the matter of arrangement afterwards is greatly 

 simplified. It is no use advising every grower to havo 

 his blooms about a foot (or any particular distance) from 

 the glass, because the flowers are grown for the enjoyment 

 of the cultivators, and they must be so placed that they 

 may be seen to the best advantage. The individual blooms 

 should be tied out to prevent contact with each other when 

 fully expanded, as such contact would greatly mar their 

 symmetry. If the flowers have weak stems a slight stick 

 should be tied close under the bud, and down the stem, 

 so as 'to keep them erect, especially if they are for exhibi- 

 tion, for then the flowers open much more evenly. If, 

 when housing, any varieties show signs of being a little 

 too early, they must be placed in the coolest and most 

 shady spot; or if not early enough, moved to the warmest 

 one. Either of these arrangements may make a differ- 

 ence of a day or two one way or the other, but not more. 



