72 



GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



Pits. — Fig. 4 shows a section of a lean-to pit, in which 

 tall plants may be set upon the bottom, while a stage may 

 be put in to bring small plants near the glass. All pits 

 should be built of brick, and those with the walls built 

 hollow above the surface are preferable. In a pit 6 feet 

 wide the back should be about 15 to 18 inches higher than 

 the front. Pits are also useful in protecting delicate plants 

 in summer, from heavy rains and scorching suns, and for 

 bringing up many seedlings in the spring that do not 

 require artificial heat. In all cases ample provision must 

 be made for drainage, as 

 plants will not flourish 

 in damp, confined air. 

 When a pit is desired A 

 merely to preserve plants J 

 during the winter, it is bet- " 

 ter that the glass should 

 face rather to the north, that is from north-east to north- 

 west, in order that growth may not be excited, and the 

 plants thus kept perfectly at rest during the winter. If 

 the pit faces any other quarter the air within gets heated 

 and the plants keep on growing late in the autumn, are 

 stimulated into temporary growth too early in the spring, 

 and are much more in danger of • destruction by frost. 

 The pit should be kept as dry as possible and ventilated 

 daily when the frost is not too severe, and to protect the 

 roots of plants from frost and to prevent the necessity of 

 frequent waterings, the pots should be plunged in some 

 dry material, as sand or tan-bark. Very little water should 

 be given to plants in their dormant state, for they cannot 

 assimilate it. Many plants, as geraniums, etc., in such a 

 pit will require but one or two waterings during an entire 

 winter. Plants thus managed will endure a very low 

 temperature, and start into more vigorous growth in spring. 



At night, if cold, and during severe weather by day, it 

 will be necessary to cover the glass with mats or shutters, 



