STARTING PLANTS 139 
The nursery should be conveniently located with refer- 
ence to the various units of the entire range of houses. 
Numerous valves should be placed in the heating pipes so 
that the most exact regulation of temperature will be 
possible. Not less than two compartments, and prefer- 
ably three or four, should be provided for large ranges of 
houses. Level, water-tight beds or benches for the sub- 
irrigation of plants in flats will be found an advantage, 
especially if the soil is silty or clayey and inclined to bake. 
Flats vs. beds.— While many greenhouse men prefer to 
start and grow their plants in beds (Figs. 41 and 42) 
there are special advantages in using flats. (Figs. 43, 44 
and 45.) If solid ground beds are employed it is a tire- 
some task to bend for hours over them sowing and 
covering the seed. 
Plant boxes may be placed on tables of convenient 
height and the sowing done in greater comfort. The 
same statement may be made in regard to the first trans 
planting of the seedlings. High stools may be used, if 
desired, when the work of sowing and transplanting is 
Fig. 46.—Utilizing shelf space in an overcrowded house. Unfair to the plants in 
the beds underneath. 
done at tables, and the tables may be shifted as desired in 
the potting room or greenhouses. 
