290 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



work of gas-piping is employed, with good effect, for supporting the blinds well above 

 the glass. 



Ferns require more light than palms, and if grown in too much shade they become 

 drawn and unserviceable. Somewhat flat-roofed houses appear to suit them best, as the 

 atmosphere is not so breezy and dry as in houses with sharper roofs. The same 

 remarks apply to cucumbers, and not a few growers transfer large numbers of ferns from 

 thumb pots into the 4-inch or 5-inch sizes in time to closely occupy the warm beds 

 or benches just previously cleared of summer cucumbers. A well-heated structure is 

 shown in Fig. 106, and as the beds or benches do not go flush to the side walls, the soil 

 and atmosphere are warmed by the same pipes. Side lights, however, are not necessary 



for either ferns or cucumbers, 

 and the roof may rest on 

 walls a foot or so above the 

 bed. Houses constantly de- 

 voted to fern culture ought 

 either to be fitted with blinds 

 to use during hot weather, or 

 else be heavily shaded with 

 " summer cloud " or other 

 green preparation. 



For forcing Lily of the 

 Valley crowns strong bottom 

 heat is indispensable. The 

 hot-water pipes provided for propagating frames, or for early cucumbers, may be 

 utilised for this purpose, arranging the pots or boxes immediately over these, enclosing 

 them in a frame kept darkened till growth is advanced. Bedding plants, notably 

 " geraniums," are most surely wintered on suspended and other light shelves, which can 

 be temporarily provided in houses after these have been cleared of tomato plants in the 

 autumn. Cyclamens, primulas, cinerarias, mignonette, and other plants of that character 

 are kept in a healthier state when arranged on stages, but there is no necessity to go to 

 a great expense in providing them. Temporary stands may be formed with the aid of 

 large inverted flower-pots, or glazed drain-pipes, to support cross-bearings of 3-inch 

 quartering, to be covered with deal boards, slates, or sheets of galvanised iron. 



In low forcing-houses where the paths are sunken, a brick wall on each side of the 



Fig. 1GG, House foe Eaisinu Plants. 



