400 



THE SCITAMIXE.E, OR REEDY PLANT STOVE. 



respect to the front linings, the heat has to find its Tray through Welsh 

 slates, which are introduced into the front wall, which is carried up in 

 brick piers, between which the slates ai'e set Hke panels ; therefore, no 



noxious vapour can enter from the front linings. The heat from thii 

 is chiefly intended to wami the atmosphere of the pit. The advantage of 

 this pit is manifest : hke that of ]\rPhail, rank dung may be used with 

 safetA% but it has this important advantage over it, — that a much smaller 

 quantity is requii'ed to heat it. 



The linings may be covered with boarding, which retains the heat, 

 affords shelter from rain, furnishes a convenient passage to walk upon, 

 and gives the whole an air of compactness and cleanHuess which never 

 can be effected wliile the hnings are left uncovered. We have been thus 

 particular in describing the pit. as it is capable of being appHed to almost 

 even- pm-pose the plant cultivator can require. It is an excellent propaga- 

 tion pit, either for stove or greenhouse plants, >Yhether they are raised by 

 seeds, cuttings, graftings, or any of the modes in use. It is well calculated 

 for forcing flowers, and also for growing small and young plants. It is a 

 good winter habitation for dry bulbous or tuberous-rooted plants that 

 requii'e a season of rest, and will also seiwe as a hospital for such as are 

 weakly or diseased. 



GEXEHAL ROUTINE OF CULTURE. 



The Scitamineje or reedy plants are aU perennials, and readily multi- 

 plied by division of the rcot : many of them, however, produce seeds 

 which vegetate freely. The best season for propagating by the foiTner of 

 these modes is just before the roots begin to push out into shoots, which 

 cii'cumstance occm*s at various seasons, according to the natural habits of 

 the species, or the mode of cultivation it has been subjected to the pre- 

 ceding year. This, like many other points in horticulture, can only be 

 con-ectly ascertained by observation ; for the cultivator who depends upon 



