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THE SCITAMIXE^, OR REEDY PLAXT STOVE. 



Alpina nutans is the only plant of the above orders that exceeds eight 

 or ten feet in height ; a low striicture is, therefore, aU that is required 

 for growing them to perfection. As they are herbaceous, and of course, 

 during a considerable period in each season, in a leafless or dormant 

 state, they are not well calculated for a place amongst other stove 

 plants, which retain their habits and foliage during aU seasons. 



^Vhere it is intended to cultivate these plants in the first degree of 

 excellence, it vdU be requisite to appropriate to them a small house or 

 deep pit, in which they are to be at all times kept, unless during the 

 period when they ai'e in flower ; and as many of them continue for a long 

 time in that state, they may then be placed into the regular stove, or, if 

 dming summer, in the greenhouse or conservatory. Such a structure 



as that represented in the annexed sketch will be found all that is 

 required. In such a house we have for several years flowered about 

 thirty species, with httle trouble or expense. The house is thirty 

 feet in length and ten feet vride. A flue runs parallel to the front 

 wall, entering at the back at one end, and passing out at the other. 

 A deep pit occupies the middle, in which the plants are plunged, or 

 set on the sm'face, as the case may be, according to then- state of 

 growth. The smaller growing kinds are placed on the treUised plat- 

 form B, over the flue in front ; and the pots containing dry roots are 

 kept on the shelves a, and also over the flue, at the coldest end of the 

 house. A foot path passes along the back of the pit, three feet wide, 

 and, to economize glass, the roof over this passage is covered with 

 slates. Ventilation is admitted by the doors, and also by letting down 

 the top tier of roof lights and pushing up the bottom ones. They may 



