138 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



There are no tools or implements peculiar to the 

 green-house, but a syringe of the much-improved 

 form invented by Read, and known as Read's syringe ; 

 a thermometer, and especially Six's registering one, 

 which shows the extremes of temperature that have 

 happened during the night ; bell-glasses for striking 

 cuttings ; naming-sticks and a little white lead ; sheets 

 of strong paper or pasteboard for temporary shade ; 

 and a variety of other articles common to almost every 

 garden, will occasionally be brought into action. 



Our enumeration of these articles may appear to 

 some sufficiently formidable, and at first sight would 

 seem to deter from the idea of keeping a green-house 

 in a small garden ; but in practice these articles occa- 

 sion no difficulty or expense, those of consequence 

 being peat earth and pots. 



Sect. II. Some general Maocims of Exotic Culture, 



A plant in a pot, though conveniently circum- 

 stanced as to deportation, yet is in a highly artificial 

 state, requires a highly artificial culture, and is more 

 liable to be injured or destroyed than one growing in 

 the common soil. A plant in a pot which is placed 

 on a shelf or stage, and surrounded by air, is much 

 more liable to accident than one plunged in the soil 

 or surrounded by earthy matter, or even straw or 

 leaves. The want of a steady temperature and de- 

 gree of moisture at the roots of plants, is more 

 immediately and powerfully injurious to them than 



