COXSTRUCTIOX. 



319 



Another important advantage arises from an arrangement of this sort, 

 namely, that of inducing ciiltiyators to aim at perfection in the cultiva- 

 tion of certain tribes, T\-hich they ^ould arrive at by directing their atten- 

 tion to selections, and not attempting the fonnation of collections, as is 

 too often the case. There are few lovers of plants but have a partiality- 

 for some tribes or genera more than for others, and upon these they lavish 

 all their care and attention, while others less in their estimation are very 

 much neglected. How much better, therefore, would it be to direct 

 their attention to some one or two sections most agreeable to them, and 

 to cultivate them well, rather than attempt the cultivation of a general 

 collection, which never can be satisfactoiily accomplished in one or two 

 houses. 



COXSTRrCTIOX OF THE DRY STOVE. 



In consti'uction, the Diy Stove need not be different fi'om the Humid 

 Stove, which see. It is in the method of cultm'e that the difference exists, 

 and that, as we have already obsei-ved, consists principally in a more 

 scanty supply of water, the plants not requiring so much, being for the 

 most part of slow growth. There is also another point in which they 

 differ : while the plants in the moist stove stand on a floor of gravel, 

 coal-ashes, or similar diy materials, the majority of Diy Stove plants 

 require to be plunged in a bed of tan, leaves, or other fermentable mat- 

 ter, or in a bed of scoriae, heated from beneath by means of steam or hot- 

 water pipes. Plants of the foiToer description grow veiy rapidly, and if 

 placed in a bed of tan. Sec, would soon grow beyond aU reasonable 

 bounds, from the increased excitement at their roots ; besides, the quan- 

 tity of water necessary to be syringed over them daily woidd soon rot 

 the materials into wliich they are plunged. 



Plants of the latter description, being delicate growers, require the 

 stimulating power of a mild bottom heat, and the quantity of water 

 necessary for them has little effect on the bed into which they are plunged. 

 All Dry Stove plants however, do not require to be plunged in a bottom 

 heat, at least during the periods when they are in a dormant state ; shelves 

 should be arranged against the back wall for their reception during these 

 periods, and the treUised platform over the front flues should be set apart 

 for small plants, and such as are in a state or of a description not to 

 require such stimulus. 



In estabhshments where a separate succulent house is not deemed 

 necessary, the Dry Stove is then the proper habitation for such plants as 



