Mode of destroying the Red Spider, fyc. 403 



to a farm-stead or cottage, it occurred to me that many plants, 

 useful to the cottager, or amusing to the farmer's wife or 

 daughters, might be easily preserved in the winter months, in 

 the coldest regions of Scotland, by that class of people whose 

 finances would not enable them to erect more costly structures 

 for the purpose. To ascertain "how far this theory was cor- 

 rect, I placed a small frame over the well on a floor of deal 

 2 in. wide by 1 in. thick, and l^in. between each spar, to 

 admit of the heat rising in the frame from the water. Know- 

 ing that glass would not be purchased by that class whose 

 advantage I had in view, I covered the sash with cotton wrap- 

 per at 4rf. per yard, and in the frame I placed pots of cauli- 

 flowers, lettuce, pelargoniums of different sorts, Chrysanthe- 

 mum indicum, Primula sinensis, &c. The circumambient air 

 is generally, as might be supposed, nearly saturated with mois- 

 ture ; and, consequently, fresh air has to be admitted as fre- 

 quently as possible. The vegetables and plants continue fresh, 

 and the Pelargonium odoratissimum has been all along in 

 flower ; and I am fully convinced that, where such spring can 

 be rendered available, by means of a cut 2 ft. deep, 2 ft. wide, 

 with 2 or 3-inch offsets at each side of the rill to support the 

 ends of boxes 9 in. wide and 4 or 5 in. deep, placed within 2 in. 

 of each other over the rill, into which boxes lettuce and cauli- 

 flower plants, chiccory, &c, might be planted, the whole to 

 be covered over with hoops and loose matting to prevent the 

 descent of what meteorologists call frigorific pulsation, a win- 

 ter conservatory might be easily constructed on one spring, 

 for the use of a whole village. As the rill brings a continual 

 flow of water at the temperature of 46° or 47°, the earth in the 

 box will always be kept considerably above the freezing point 

 in the coldest nights. It may also be useful for nurserymen 

 and others for preserving cauliflower plants, which in this 

 country are always scarce and high-priced in the spring 

 months. A glass covers, when it can be obtained, will be of in- 

 finite advantage, and will admit of a greater variety of tender 

 plants for preservation. I am, Sir, &c. 



Annat Gardens, February 4. 1830. A. Gorrie. 



Art. V. Method of destroying the A'carus or Red Spider, Slugs, 

 and other Insects on Plants, without injuring the Leaves. By 



• N. T.. - 



Sir, 

 As the time approaches in which insects begin to make 

 their appearance on hot-house and green-house plants, you 



d n 2 



