14 STOVE PLANTS. 



CISTEENS. 



HESE are very necessary in all houses devoted to 

 plant growing, as the rain water, which may then 

 be collected from the roofs, is the best that can 

 be used. To have this water in a proper state for the plants, 

 the cistern or tank must be inside the house, and so exposed 

 that the water may become nearly of the same temperature 

 as the atmosphere. Cold water applied to the roots of 

 Stove Plants is most pernicious. Therefore, having fixed 

 on the most convenient part of the house for the tank, build 

 up the sides from the floor, making the centre table the top, 

 or sink it below the ground level. In the latter case, it 

 would be desirable to have a pipe in connection with the 

 boiler passing through it, for when stored below the surface 

 the water will otherwise be much colder than the house. 

 The best material for cisterns is slate, but brickwork, with 

 a good coating of Portland cement, will answer the purpose 

 equally well, and is perhaps to be preferred when they are 

 placed below the ground level. Galvanised iron tanks axe 

 very much used, and are very durable where employed above 

 ground. 



SOIL. 



|S before stated, different plants affect different soils, 

 and therefore the cultivator must endeavour to 

 utilise the hints thus given to him, if he wishes 

 to succeed in his labours. Hence the importance of making 

 composts suitable to the requirements of the plants. To 

 have this department under proper control, a place should 

 be set apart in some convenient quarter of the garden, for 



