MIsCELLAXEOI'f; EXIIIBTTION' PLAXTS. 12o 



of the plants from the exhibition. Tins careless method must 

 be emphatically condemned, because any defect in packing 

 and conveyance tells on the plants and on future success, and 

 as much care and trouble should be bestowed on the removal 

 of plants from an exhibition as will ensure their safe return 

 to their home. 



^Yhe^e there is proper accommodation for growing exhibi- 

 tion plants, every specimen should have room to fully develop. 

 It is a good practice to group the various kinds according to 

 the treatment that suits them best. Crotons should he grown 

 where they can get most light, with provision for slight shad- 

 ing during extreme heat. Ferns, again, should be kej^t in 

 the shade and never syringed overhead, but moisture should 

 be kept constantly amongst them liy evaporation from damp- 

 ing the stages and paths. Filmy ferns, however, should be 

 regularly " dewed " overhead with the syringe. All plants 

 should be examined at least once every day to see if water 

 is required at the roots. This operation is best performed in 

 the afternoon in summer, and in the morning in winter. 

 Careful attention should be paid to giving proper ventilation 

 at all seasons. The admission of air by the bottom ventilators 

 alone to all the hottest houses prevents the too rapid escape 

 of moisture, which would leave the atmosphere parched and 

 dry and quite unsuitable for growing many exotic plants. 

 The ventilators should be large enough to admit the necessary 

 amount of air, combined with shading, to keep the temperature 

 within the prescribed limits. During the time of cold winds 

 in spring, ventilation should be confined to the sunny side of 

 the house, closing early in the afternoon to economise heat, 

 and at the same time thoroughly damping paths and stages. 



It is a good plan to syringe such plants as Crotons with a 

 solution of two ounces of soft soap to the gallon of water, 

 applying it as hot as it can be used with comfort. This 

 practice ser^-es to keep insect pests in check ; but when plants 

 are badly infested, a wine-glassful of paraifin should be added 

 to each gallon while the liquid is boiling, and allow it to 

 cool down to a safe temperature before proceeding to use it. 

 Another method is to add the paraffin to the soap and water. 



