206 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT 
often see, will be generally recognised throughout the country, and not be confined 
almost to one or two localities, as at the present time. 
These remarks are offered in connection with the management of plants and 
plant-houses, for the purpose of directing attention to the indispensable necessity of 
giving ample room to every plant ; for without this, success in plant cultivation is 
impossible. We all know that if we plant a crop of cabbages too thick, or sow peas 
without allowing sufficient room between the rows to admit the sun and air freely 
among them, that we neither get fine cabbages nor yet good peas, because the plants 
being crowded together, do not get sufficient light and air to elaborate the juices 
properly, and consequently they are not only deficient in flavour, but also in those 
nutritive and life-sustaining qualities for which these vegetables are so much 
admired. Now plants cultivated in pots or under glass, though they may not produce 
edible fruits, obey the same laws of nature, and to bring them to due perfection, they 
must have an abundant supply of both light and air, and that not by fits and starts, 
but, if first-class cultivation is aimed at, regularly day by day. Hence specimen 
plants, whether in-door or out, should never be allowed to touch each other, neither 
should they be so placed, especially during the winter months, that they do not get 
a good share of light on all sides. 
With reference to the influence of light, as connected with plant cultivation, it 
would appear that the theory of its importance is not borne out by practice, inasmuch 
as no decided improvement has resulted from its use ; but, on the contrary, we know 
some of the best practical gardeners in the country are decidedly opposed to 
the use of sheet-glass. So far as our own experience enables us to judge, we have 
no great affection for it, and, except for its superior appearance and economy in 
repairs, we should not care much about using it. Singular as it may appear, it is not 
more singular than true, that nearly all the best specimens of both fruits and plants 
sent to the London exhibitions, are grown under common glass, and very frequently 
in heavy houses, seemingly ill-adapted for first-class cultivation. We have been 
growing plants under sheet-glass of the best quality for some time past, and we find 
that houses so glazed require much closer attention in changeable weather, and are 
very liable to scorch the plants if neglected. 
Where houses are glazed with sheet-glass in large squares, they should be freely 
ventilated very early in the morning, especially in the early part of the season, and 
they should not be shut up so early in the afternoon as is customary with the 
common greenhouses. The ventilation of horticultural erections is a subject of 
great interest at the present time, and promises to occupy a good share of public 
attention. Those who have gleaned their information on this subject from their 
daily practice, know, as their fathers knew before them, how necessary it is to the 
well-being of plants, that there should be a constant interchange or renewal of the 
air in plant and forcing structures, not only during the day, but also during the 
night, and good gardeners take care to have a thorough circulation of it at all times 
and at all seasons when it is possible to admit it. 
