66 Gardening in Egypt. 



lined with maidenhair and other ferns, hanging-grass 

 of Panicun variegatum, and other suitable plants. 



Small shingle, obtained from the seashore, or the 

 round marble-like quartz from the Makattam Hills 

 and other places near Cairo, are the best materials 

 for the tops of the stages, which should be previously 

 filled in below with broken stone, brick, or any rough 

 material, and rich, sandy soil filled in amongst the 

 rocks. Sand should never be used for the surface of 

 the stages, as it has a tendency to stop up the bottom 

 of the pots, causing them to become water-logged. 



The rocks obtained from the coast near Mandarah, 

 or Mex, are suitable when the salt has been washed 

 out of them, but the soft yellow sandstone from the 

 desert is preferable, as the plants cling to it readily, 

 and many things that will not grow, or only exist in 

 pots, such as Marantas, thrive amazingly when planted 

 out in rockwork where no cement has been used, 

 and many of the choice varieties of ferns spore and 

 grow readily in it. 



MANAGEMENT. 



Ventilating, or giving air, is an important item 

 in the management of a glass-house, and with the 

 exception of severe winter gales, or a Khamseen, 

 an inch or two should be left open at the top 

 night and day throughout the year. During the 

 winter, the houses should be open daily on the 

 side where the wind is not blowing, and should be 

 closed in the afternoon half an hour before the sun 

 goes off them, the houses having previously been 

 " damped down " by having water sprinkled on the 

 paths and stages. This will cause a moist growing 

 heat to rise, and will also keep the temperature a 

 degree or two higher than the outside through the 

 night. 



Damping the paths, either with a small hose or a 

 water-can, should be done several times during the 

 day, and always in the morning and afternoon when 

 opening and shutting the houses. Syringing occasionally 



