94 



THE GERANIUM HOUSE. 



when tliey are placed too far from the eye, wliicli tliey often are when the 

 house is either too lofty or too wide. 



In our estimation the last figure would be a very complete Geranium 

 house, and would be an object both hght and elegant in the flower garden 

 if placed detached from other buildings, or it would be equally well placed, 

 if more desirable, when attached to the dwelling by one of its ends. The 

 height of such a house should not exceed seven feet over the foot paths, 

 which will be sufficient to admit of a free passage ; for the lower such 

 houses are, the better, so that there be plenty of head room. The length 

 of all plant houses must be determined by local circumstances ; but so far 

 as heating is concerned, and we tliink it proper to mention that here, one 

 fire, whether employed to heat a boiler of water or warm the smoke flues, (a) 

 will heat a house of .this width and height, above one hundred feet in 

 length. A span-roofed house we prefer for geraniums, as the plants enjoy 

 plenty of air, light, and solai* influence, and are seen to great advantage. 

 A span-roofed house, similar to that represented by the above section, if 

 fifty feet in length, will contain nearly as many plants as one in the lean-to 

 fashion of one hundi'ed feet in length ; and in regard to expense of erec- 

 tion will be much less. 



In speaking of shading the most dehcate heaths during the heat of 

 summer, we would also recommend the same provision to be used for the 

 geranium house, while the plants are in bloom. This expense will be 

 amply remunerated by the greater length of time the plants tnIII remain 

 in bloom, and the richness of the colom's of the flowers, which, if exposed 

 to the full solar influence, would be ver}' much injured. The uprigiit 

 lights over the parapet walls should be made to take out, as dming a great 

 part of the season they will be better removed, in order that a free circu- 

 lation of ah' be permitted to pass through the house ; but they should be 

 replaced in stormy, windy weather. This mode of ventilation wiU render 

 the opening the roof seldom necessary, guarding also against sudden 

 showers of rain, which would be veiy injmious to the finest flowers. 



PR0PAGA.TI0N AND TREATMEXT WHILE YOUN'G. 



Geraniums or, more properly. Pelargoniums, are very readily propagated 

 by cuttings and seeds, and the tuberous-rooted sorts by cuttings or pieces 

 of the roots. To have a succession of flowering plants all the year, some 

 attention should be paid to the period of flowering of diiierent sorts, which 



