ORNAMENTAL WINTER AND SPUING FLOWERING PLANTS. 99 



or which reason plants grown under glass should be placed as 

 near the latter as possible, in order that they may have all the 

 light that can be obtained in dull weather ; and when the sun is 

 too powerful they must be protected from it by a thin shading, 

 so fixed that it can be quickly drawn down or rolled up with 

 facility. Shading should only be tolerated at any time as an 

 unavoidable evil, rendered necessary in some measure by the 

 artificial treatment which the plants receive ; and that the neces- 

 sity may be reduced as much as possible, their natural require- 

 ments should be our constant study. As the natural habitats of 

 plants embrace every variation of shade and exposure, we must 

 provide situations which vary in a similar manner; but to decide 

 upon the proper position for each plant a very watchful eye is 

 necessary. The rate of growth, whether scalded or lanky, or 

 sturdy and vigorous, must be carefully noted, and the plants ex- 

 posed to all the sunlight that they will endure uninjured. The 

 houses, pits, or frames, in which the plants are placed when being 

 excited into growth in winter, should be of the lightest descrip- 

 tion, in order that the small quantity of light obtainable at that 

 dull season may be made the most of. The glass should be kept 

 perfectly clean, the whole of the interior of the house should be 

 painted or coloured white, and the plants placed upon or plunged 

 in white sand, that the light may be reflected amongst the foliage. 

 It is impossible that the plants can derive the full benefit of the 

 sun's influence if crowded together, as is too commonly the 

 practice ; it will, therefore, be well to consider the importance of 

 placing the plants so far asunder that the direct rays of light 

 can fall unimpeded upon the greater portion of each plant ; and 

 those intended to be seen on all sides should be frequently turned 

 round, in order that all parts of the plants may have an equal 

 share of light. But although the plants themselves should be 

 so sparingly shaded, it is important that the sides (not the sur- 

 faces) of the pots should be carefully guarded from the scorching 

 rays of the sun. When the plants stand on stages this may be 

 managed by making the tops of those of one row shade the pots 

 of the row immediately behind them ; or, if arranged upon a flat 

 surface, the pots should, if possible, be plunged, by which the 

 sides are protected from excessive drying without the plants 

 being crowded together. 



Air. — It is only by the liberal use of this agent that plants 

 can derive the hardy character so necessary to a successful en- 

 durance of their winter excitement. The quantity of air must 

 be regulated by the state of the weather, and the temperature re- 

 quired for the growth of the plants ; but at all times a sufficiency 

 should be admitted to produce a circulation, and as much more 

 as can be given without starving or checking the plants. Cold 



