ON PLANT PROPAGATION. 



941 



It is preferable to have, as shown in the illustration, 

 some hollow stages which can be closed up by the planks 

 G, G ; these can easily be made in lengths of several feet, 

 and can be removed if not wanted. Slates should be used 

 in the making of the stages, and no cement joins must 

 be allowed. Water should drain through quite easily, and 

 the heat can also pass through and heat the propagating- 

 beds (c, c), which can be composed of sand, cocoanut-fibre, 

 sawdust, &c. 



The frames (a, a) can also be easily made. Two long 

 » planks are required, one i|ft. wide on the back and the other 

 ijft. on the front. They must be fixed one to the walls and 

 the other to the stage, and between each light a transverse 

 piece of wood will unite the two sides. The lights (b, b) are 

 only placed on the frame, and if they have to be removed they 

 can be fastened with the hooks (i, i) in the rings /) on the 

 front of the lights. During the summer, if they are not required, 

 they can be removed altogether. A top or hanging shelf (h) 

 has been drawn above the path, leaving 6ft. 6in. No side shelf 

 could very well be fixed there, owing to the lights, which are 

 constantly being moved up and down. This shelf is of very 

 great use, chiefly for pans or boxes containing plants in the 

 course of propagation, and requiring to be placed as close 

 as possible to the glass. Seedlings are successfully raised on 

 this shelf, for heat, moisture, and light are always combined 

 there. Great attention must be given to the heating power, 

 for during propagating time no fluctuation of temperature must 

 be allowed in the beds. A glass thermometer must be half 

 buried therein to be used as a guide. About 8odeg. Fahr. 

 must be kept up in winter with fire-heat and moisture. This 

 house must also be provided with shading. Canvas is an 

 excellent material for this purpose, and it can also be used 

 during sharp frosts. In the spring, when the sun becomes too 

 powerful, a double shading could be placed inside directly on 

 the lights. Two tanks are required, one on the stage receiving 

 heat for propagating water-loving plants, and another for watering 

 purposes. Of course all rain-water should be collected, and 

 the water in the tank must always be kept at the house 

 temperature. A larger case could also be arranged at one end 

 of the house for big-growing plants which require a very close 

 temperature. Room close to the door should be allowed for 

 a potting-table, for as soon as the plants are rooted they 

 require to be potted up, and it would be very detrimental 

 to take them into another place to do this. The dimensions 

 given on the drawing indicate a very handsome house. It 

 could easily be built ift. lower, thus making it easier to heat, 

 but in most respects the illustration will be found a trustw^orthy 

 guide. 



