218 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



as these when they have done flowering are of no use 

 to any one. 



But notwithstanding all that we have said, there 

 is no doubt a number of persons who will go on ma- 

 naging their town green-houses themselves, and to 

 such it is proper we should offer the best advice in 

 our power. 



1st. We recommend them to grow only the most 

 hardy plants, and such as flower freely, as Geraniums, 

 Mi/'^7*tles, Coluteas, Pittosporums, Corrce^as, Acacias, 

 and the like ; and to indulge only in the hardier 

 heaths and camellias, with but a few orange trees. 



2d. W e advise pots more than usually well drained; 

 say none but what have their bottoms covered with 

 an inch of gravel at least, to prevent all chance of 

 the stagnation of water, and lessen the evils of what 

 is almost certain of taking place, over-watering. 



3d. Whatever soils may be used, we would advise 

 mixing some very coarse sand and small gravel with 

 them to prevent the soil, when watering was too long 

 deferred, (which it would certainly be every now and 

 then,) from getting so hard and compact that water 

 would not penetrate through it. 



4th. Where saucers are placed below the pots to 

 prevent the water which escapes from the latter from 

 wetting the floor of the room or green-house, we 

 advise the saucer to be half filled with gravel, in 

 order that the soil or gravel in the inside of the pot 

 may never stand soaking in water. When this is 



