10 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
is essential for watering the plants. To create a good 
appearance, narrow, ornamental rockeries may be arranged 
at the edge of the side staging and beneath it, and in any 
part of the basement available. These should be planted 
with Begonias, Tradescantias, such ferns as are not likely 
to be attacked by thrips, Selaginellas, Fittonias, and Ficus 
repens, which are not liable to attacks from insects, whilst 
their presence tends to preserve a healthy atmosphere in 
the house. 
The rockeries beneath the staging should not be built 
high enough to obstruct the passage of the heat from the 
hot-water piping, a rise of one foot from the ground level 
being sufficient. 
In the warm-house, Eucharis grandiflora and other species 
of Eucharis ; Hymenocallis and Pancratiums, thrive and 
bloom well beneath the staging. The inside of the roof should 
be wired for suspending baskets containing Orchids, and 
this should be done before the plants are placed in the house. 
As regards the form of structure, comparatively low, 
span-roofed houses, with brick sides reaching to the eaves, 
and no side glass, are the best, the ends being of brick 
up to the height of the side walls, the remaining part 
running up to the ridge, in all but very small houses, being 
formed of wood and glass. If several houses are built, spaces 
should be left between each house, and no two or more 
houses should be built with partition walls, for these pre- 
vent the necessary side ventilation. A house of 100 feet or 
so in length should have a division midway in its length, 
which for some purposes gives the advantages of two 
houses. Pitch-pine or teak, being durable, are good woods 
for the wood-work, and, in any case, the use of cheap, soft 
