156 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



of the middle of each day, by spreading mats over 

 the roof. This and gentle waterings twice a day will 

 completely re-establish the whole. 



This brings us to the conclusion of the first grand 

 summer operation, and indeed the most important of 

 the whole year. The next is the taking out the 

 plants, and placing them in their summer quarters. 



The middle of June is the usual period for placing 

 green-house plants in the open air ; though the har- 

 dier kinds, as myrtles, diosmas, correas, and most of 

 the green-house plants which are natives of the south 

 of Europe, might be put out by the end of May. 

 An old rule of gardeners was, to venture them out 

 when the mulberry had expanded its foliage. 



The object in view in placing out green-house 

 plants, is to harden and invigorate them by exposing 

 them to the weather, and to lessen the trouble of 

 attending to them, by enabling them to receive the 

 natural rains and dews, and by rendering less fre- 

 quent the labour of opening and shutting the green- 

 house sashes. In part also the object is, to get the 

 use of the green-house for growing a few tender an- 

 nuals. 



The situation in which they are to be placed in the 

 open air should be sheltered from high winds, but 

 not locked up from moderate breezes ; it should be 

 somewhat shaded, so as to moderate evaporation 

 from the surface of the leaves of the plants, which is 

 greatly increased by the direct influence of the sun, 

 and the greater dryness of the air with which they 



