40 



Beds v. Benches. 



Of the two methods in use in growing plants, i.e., the bench 

 (Fig. 3) and the bed (Fig. 4), each has its advantage with some 

 kinds of plants. The bed is the more easily constructed but must 

 be thoroughly drained, and more care is needed to keep the soil 

 from getting into an unhealthfnl condition, and if it qnce be- 

 comes too wet it takes a long time to get it into a healthful 

 condition again. With the bench, a small amount of soil only 

 being used, the soil can be freely watered and it will drain and 

 dry out quickly, and while the small body of soil that is used does 

 not allow of a large supply of plant food, this can be supplied in 

 a concentrated form and the bench thus be made to give rather 

 more certain results than the bed, especially when cared for by 

 unskilled help. 



lu the care of plants under glass the aim should be to fire them 

 exactly the conditions under which they best thrive out of doors, — 

 a rich, fresh soil, an abundance of water, yet not so much as to 

 cause the soil to become sour and stagnant, and plenty of sunlight . 

 and air. Close attention must be given to the temperature by night 

 and by day, the night temperature always being several degrees 

 lower than that of the day time. If this is reversed, or if the 

 temperature runs high after a long spell of cloudy weather, many 

 plants become sickly and unprofitable. 



Insects. 



As with crops out of doors, constant attention is required to 

 prevent injury from insect pests. The rule in regard to this matter 

 should be to destroy the first insect that appears and not wait until 

 they become myriads, as they are sure to do if not promptly 

 treated. 



The soil, the amount of fertilizer to be used, the temperature 

 required, the time and quantity of water to be used in the growth 

 of flower and vegetable plants are questions the details of which 

 require too extended discussion for the limits of this article, and 

 the reader is referred to the numerous books on the subject and 

 to the many successful growers who may be found in almost every 

 section of the State. 



^. 



