112 GEEBNHOtJSE MANAGEMENT. 



While the atmosphere should be kept moist by syringing 

 the walks and benches, overhead watering or syringing 

 of the plants should be avoided, as, if drops of water 

 remain on the leaves they will be spotted, and their 

 beauty will be marred, if they are not entirely destroyed. 

 On warm, bright mornings a ilne spray upon the leaves 

 will soon evaporate, and, while being beneficial to the 

 plants, will do no harm. They should, at all times, be 

 shaded from the direct sunlight, and during the hottest 

 part of the summer, in addition to the wash upon the 

 glass, a lath screen, or cloth shade will be desirable. 

 Ventilation should be given in good weather, but strong 

 draughts of air should be avoided. 



When kept near the glass, and with proper atten- 

 tion to watering and ventilating, the gloxinia has few 

 insect enemies, but if neglected, the thrip and spider 

 will be troublesome. The use of tobacco stems about 

 the plants, and frequent light fumigations, will destroy 

 the thrips, while the spiders can best be fought by reg- 

 ulating the moisture of the air. If only a few plants 

 are grown, the infested leaves can be sponged. Should 

 "rust" appear upon the leaves, the diseased portions 

 must be cut off and burned. In case it shows on the 

 same plants a second year, it will be best to throw them 

 away. 



Plants started in February should be in bloom from 

 June or July until August and September, and a suc- 

 cession of plants will give flowers until the chrysanthe- 

 mums come in ISTovember. Af<-er the flowers appear, 

 their season can be prolonged if kept in a slightly lower 

 temperature. As soon as the flowering period is over, 

 watering should be gradually lessened until the leaves 

 turn yellow, when it should be discontinued. The 

 leaves should then be cut off, and the plants in the pots 

 laid on their sides iinder the benches in a warm 

 room, or they may be shaken out and placed close 



