271 THE PLEASURE GROUND. 



cucumber, if the lights of such frames or pits be well 

 covered with bass mats. In frosty weather they 

 should, also, be kept as free from damp as possible, 

 and the lights opened at all favourable opportunities, 

 which will facilitate its evaporation, and admit, at 

 the same time, a free circulation of air into the pit, 

 that will be very beneficial to the plants ; as the more 

 air they are exposed to, when not of a very wet or 

 frosty nature, the more healthy and vigorous they 

 will grow. The Heath-house will but seldom 

 require any fire heat ; which should never be applied,, 

 except in frosty or a continuation of cold wet wea- 

 ther, when a little is necessary to expel the damps, 

 and prevent the plants from being injured by the 

 frost. Although the Ericece will bear a much 

 greater degree of frost than most Cape plants, yet a 

 little artificial heat is often necessary, in the Winter 

 season, for their preservation, which should be but 

 as sparingly supplied as the external state of the 

 atmosphere will admit. If the thermometer, in the 

 Heathery, does not fall below 25 degrees, during 

 the night, the plants will not sustain any injury for 

 the want of artificial heat. 



Although the Heath-house here is considerably ele- 

 vated above the ground level, and very much exposed, 

 I have never observed any of the plants injured by it, 

 except a few of the tender shoots next to the glass. 

 It is, however, advisable, when the thermometer 

 continues to fall more than five degrees under the 

 freezing point, within the house, to have recourse to 

 the aid of the furnace, observing, however, to apply 

 no more fire heat than is absolutely necessary for 



