72 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



like vegetation of higher grades, conditions suitable to 

 its development, which are a calm atmosphere and a 

 temperature above 55 or 60. Hence, to avoid this 

 pest, we make every effort, by shading, airing, and 

 regulation of fire heat, to keep the atmosphere of the 

 house so that it shall not exceed 60 degrees. This, of 

 course, is not practicable when the outside temperature 

 in the shade is above 60; but the temperature can 

 be reduced considerably by dashing water on the path- 

 ways and other parts of the house. It is rarely, how- 

 ever, that the outside temperature ever exceeds 60 

 at night for any length of time in the vicinity of New 

 York before the middle of May, and all propagating 

 had better be finished previous to that time, unless* of 

 tropical plants. In the fall months, about the middle of 

 September, operations in propagating may again begin. 



The temperature is prevented from rising in the house 

 in various ways, some using canvas, or bast matting, 

 or syringing the glass with a mixture of naphtha and 

 white lead, made about the color and consistency of thin 

 skim milk. We find, however, the best and most con- 

 venient shading to be that formed by flexible screens 

 made of common lath, planed and attached together like 

 Venetian blinds, the laths being an inch or so apart. 

 These can be quickly rolled or unrolled, and give an ever- 

 varying modified shade, sufficiently cooling to the house, 

 yet not darkening the cutting enough to impair its vigor. 

 These are not unrolled in the morning until the tempera- 

 ture inside indicates it to be necessary, and are rolled up 

 in the afternoon as soon as the sun ceases to shine on the 

 glass, for it is of the utmost importance that the cuttings 

 receive as much light as they will bear without becoming 

 wilted. An objection to these screens, however, is their 

 expense, as they cost about ten cents per square foot. 



