294 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



perfect facilities for draining, will not dry out so quickly, 

 and the surplus moisture absorbed by the moss — ^instead 

 of running down to water the roses in the carpet on the floor! 

 — ^will evaporate and help to keep the air about the plants 

 normally moist. Even with an inside shelf of this kind, it is 

 not a difficult task to shut off a separate space for the 

 flowers by arranging curtains which may be pulled about 

 them, giving much better control of the conditions of mois- 

 ture and temperature, and making it possible to fumigate 

 the plants with tobacco smoke, if necessary. 



Provide Now for Next Spring's Needs 



In addition to these details of construction, do not for- 

 get to provide yourself with all the materials which may be 

 needed before open weather in the spring in the way of 

 soil, sand, fertilizers, leaf-mould or chip-dirt, sphagnimi 

 moss, etc. — anything that is likely to be required for re- 

 potting, starting cuttings, starting plants from seed, and 

 potting up new plants. AH these things may be kept in 

 boxes in the cellar, out of the way, but readily available 

 when needed. Keep them as far from artificial heat as 

 possible, however, to avoid their drying off excessively. 



