224 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



cold air from the outside passes over the hot-water pipes before entering the house. 

 Ventilating the upper part of the roof was at one time generally done by means of sliding 

 sashes, but of late years sashes that work' with a lever have become general. 



The staging of a greenhouse will depend upon its size, and the purposes for whicn 

 it is intended. In the case of a house ioft. wide a stage 3ft. 6in. wide on either side, 

 leaving the central path a yard in width, is a very good arrangement. Where the house 

 is much wider the centre may be occupied with plants, leaving a path all round. If the 

 plants are small, a sta^e must be erected in the middle, but if large, they may be grouped 

 on the floor level. Another way is to plant out such subjects as Camellias in rlv centre 

 of the house, but in that case a bed must be prepared for their reception. A lean-to 

 house may have an ordinary flat stage on the front, but at the back arrange it in a 

 step-like manner, one tier above another. In this case, watering the plants is more 

 difficult than in a span roofed structure. The stages may be made of different materials, 

 large slates on iron bearers being particularly durable, but the expense is against their general 

 use, and wooden stages are almost universally employed: If made of good material and 

 well painted they will last for many years. The surface of the stages should be covered 

 to the depth of half an inch with sea shingle, consisting largely- of cockle shells, so 

 much used for walk's. It seises to maintain a uniform state of moisture about the roots. 



Shad- 

 i n g is 

 necessary 

 during the 



summer, or 



r a t h e r 

 many of 

 the flower- 

 ing plants 

 will be 

 benefited 

 by a cer- 

 tain amount 

 of protec 

 tion from 

 the full 

 rays of the 

 sun from 

 April to 

 October. 

 Shading is 

 of two 

 k i n d s — 



THE CONSERVATORY AT HELTON HOUSE, GRANTHAM. 



firstly, 



permanent, and secondly, that which may be drawn up, when not wanted, by means of 

 a roller. The latter is in every way more satisfactory than the other, as the plants are 

 not unnecessarily deprived of light — a very important consideration. Canvas of various kinds 

 may be employed for shading purposes, while special preparations are also used. For 

 permanent shading, one of the best is Summer Cloud, which may be obtained from most 

 dealers, with directions for use. 



The plants that may be grown in a greenhouse are so varied that no particular 

 instructions can be given for any one kind, but a few general remarks will apply equally 

 to all. Insect pests must be especially kept down, and for this purpose there is nothing 



