372 THE FLORIST AND 



determine the proportion which the one should bear to the other. If the 

 beds have to be formed in a rectangular or regular piece of ground, they 

 will always have the best effect if those on the outside hare linear outlines, 

 the inner ones being made up of curves and portions of circles. If the 

 ground be not formal, there is little danger of failure in an extensive em- 

 ployment of curved lines. 



Greenhouse. — In our earliest recollections of a greenhouse at midwin- 

 ter, the Acacia is inseparably connected. What have they done to be now 

 so frequently neglected? A "greenhouse once we knew" in w T hich over 

 ninety species "waved their yellow hair," some one of them every month in 

 the year, though for the most part in winter, and I have never yet seen a 

 sight to equal it. They are of the easiest possible culture, will endure an 

 extraordinary amount of neglect, being in fact the very donkies of the ve- 

 getable kingdom. I trust again to see these valuable plants in high esteem. 

 In our vicinity we have but A. piibescens, A, linearis, A. longifolia, A. 

 affinis, A. dealbata, A. armata, A. verticillata, A. pulchella, A. Kermesina 

 (a stove species) and one or two others. There are many other fine old 

 things which we are sorry to see displaced by worthless novelties. I would 

 go a "good long way" for a sight of a well grown o\& JUutaxia myrtifolia, or 

 Pimelia dccussata, and brave the charge of "old-fogyism" in stating my 

 preference for them than for a host of P. spectabilis, Hendersoniis, Ver- 

 schaffeltiis, and so on. Soft wooded plants are very apt to be infested with 

 aphis at this season — repeated do^es of tobacco smoke will soon do for 

 them. Some plants, Heliotropes for instance, often suffer in t}ie operation. 

 This is frequently caused by the absorption of moisture from the leaves, 

 than from absolute injury from the smoke, and it is for the most part pre- 

 vented by putting a small quantity of damp hay or moss over the burning 

 tobacco, through which the smoke has to force its way. 



Hothouse. — It has become a grave study with many experienced horti- 

 culturists whether something cannot be devised to obviate the necessity of 

 shutters for these structures. Were it a question of expense between the 

 additional cost of fire without them, and their use, the former would have 

 the advantage. It is a laborious task to put these on and off almost daily, 

 besides their "wear and tear," breakage of glass, and other incidental in- 

 conveniences. The best that can be said in their favor is that the heat they 

 keep in is better for the health of the plants than that supplied by an addi- 

 tional amount of fire. I think a "compromise" might be introduced in the 

 shape of glass shutters. Now that the frame work can be made so cheaply 

 by machinery, I think they might be made for the same price as those now 

 in use. When once put on they need not be again removed till spring 

 There would probably be a shade less in the amount of light admitted by 

 this mode, than by a single course of glass, but yet, I think, more on the 

 whole than is permitted by the present system. I tried the experiment my- 

 self last winter on a very small scale, by a double glass in some side lights, 

 expecting to find inconvenience from condensed moisture, &c, but finding 

 none I think the idea worth more extensive trial. Gardeners will thank 

 the man who will introduce a substitute for shutters having equal effect. 

 For general directions for Hothouse management the details given last 

 month will still be applicable ; as also those referring to the Vegetable 

 Garden. T. J. 



