700 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Frames. — It is very convenient to have a few of these, and it 

 is surprising what a number of plants may be grown in them 

 with the aid of a little heat. They should vary in depth, so as 

 to admit of different sized plants being }2;rown in them, are best 

 built of brick with wooden lights, and should face to the south. 



Aspect. — Both the greenhouse and the growing-pits should run 

 from north to south ; thus the sun will rise on one side and set 

 on the other, both sides getting their fair share of sunshine, whilst 

 it will be right over the centre at mid-day. 



Shading. — This is an important item in plant-growing. It is 

 best effected by means of roller-blinds, having a reel and cord 

 at one end by which they can easily be let up and down. Fine 

 tiffany is the best material. 



Wooden blinds are also used ; these consist of strips i^in. 

 wide, having ^in. space in between, and bound together by 

 cords. They are also made to roll up and down, but require 

 to run on supports about ift. above the surface of the glass. 



Permanent shading consisting of washes should never be used, 

 for it is very injurious to plants to be continually shaded on 

 dull days, especially in spring and autumn, when sometimes we 

 get several dull days in succession. On the other hand blinds 

 require constant attention, as many valuable plants are 

 frequently spoilt when in full blossom by the careless cultivator 

 going away and leaving the blinds up, when during his absence 

 the sun has come out and shone fiercely. Permanent shade 

 may be used for the sides of the house, but even there 

 tiffany, hung up by means of hooks and rings, and fastened in 

 a like manner at the base, is better. These blinds may be 

 replaced in winter by blanket ones, which will be of great 

 advantage on exceptionally cold nights or in windy weather, 

 for keeping the heat in. 



Heating. — This is a most important matter. Saddle-boilers 

 are mostly used, and have the advantage of being very 

 durable ; but they heat slowly, and it is necessary to burn a 

 considerable quantity of fuel before the temperature of the 

 house can be raised. Tubular boilers are really the best, 

 although not so durable ; by their means heat can be got up 

 much more quickly, and they are therefore much more useful, 

 as in the case o" a warm spell, when artificial heat has been 

 dispensed with, and there is a sudden change, and it is 

 desired to get the heat up quickly. But if the temperature has 

 once fallen low it must be raised gradually. 



If by mischance frost has been allowed to get into a house, 

 it is best to syringe everything with cold water, keep the blinds 

 down all day, and raise the temperature very slowly. By this 

 means many plants may be saved. 



