GREEN HO USES— SUMMER MA NA GEMENT. 



'37 



particular, all decaying leaves and flowers should be removed daily, as these, in addition to 

 being unsightly, are liable to spread decay all round. Crowding the plants together and 

 indiscriminate mixtures should always be avoided as much as possible. Chinese primulas, 

 Persian cyclamens, calceolarias, cinerarias, pelargoniums, and many more plants that 

 might be named, quickly deteriorate if crowded among a variety of other kinds, and their 

 flowering period is much shortened accordingly. Up to about the middle of May the 

 morning is the best time of day to water plants in pots or borders, applying it freely to 

 those showing signs of needing it. Only enough fire -heat should be afforded to keep the 

 atmosphere comfortably warm and the house dry. The night temperature may range 

 from 40° to 50° for the most hardy plants, such as mentioned on page 127, allowing 

 another 5° for mixed collections. The day temperature may range from 45° to 60°, 

 with air. Avoid admitting rushes of cold air through the front sashes, especially when 

 the wind is in the east, as such currents are followed by mildew and other troubles. 

 Commence ventilating slightly at the top of the house when the sun raises the 

 temperature to 50° or 55°, and there will then be less need to afterwards set the lights 

 open widely with a view to lowering the heat, which ought never to be required. Shade 

 flowering plants and ferns from bright sunshine during the hottest part of the day. 

 Whenever one insect is seen, fumigate. There will be others unseen, and waiting for 

 more is a fatal policy. 



Summee. 



Early in the summer greenhouses should be cleared of the bulk of winter and spring 

 flowering plants, as the space is wanted for the effective arrangement of tuberous 

 begonias, cannas, erythrinas, fuchsias, heliotropes, liliums, plumbagos, and various others. 

 A moister atmosphere may now be maintained and syringing in the case of all smooth- 

 leaved plants resorted to with advantage, in the mornings and evenings of clear days. 

 Closing early, or at about 4 o'clock, and syringing then, raises the temperature from 

 5° to 10°, and the genial, moist atmosphere created lasts for several hours. This is 

 recommended only in the case of Indian azaleas completing their growth, fuchsias, 

 begonias, gloxinias, and a few other plants that it is desirable shall form a clean 

 strong growth before flowering, but is not advised to be practised with flowering plants 

 generally. Eemember that the freer the growth and the brighter the weather, the 

 greater the amount of water will all plants need. The evening is generally the best 

 time for watering in summer, but many plants will require a further supply before the 

 next evening. They must have it whenever the soil crumbles and before the leaves 



VOL. II. T 



