THE GREEN-HOUSE. 
provide accommodation, on a small scale, for 
the several groups which we shall refer to. In 
the sketch, a represents a bottom of concrete ; 
b, are stages for the plants, made of slate or 
stone, in preference to wood ; c, ventilators, 
by means of which a free circulation of air 
may be obtained to dry np damps, without 
opening the lights ; (/, hot-water pipes, or 
flues. A division might be introduced at every 
light, or every alternate, or third light, according 
to the number of plants grown of each group, 
and thus all the purposes of separate structures 
would at once be answered. When such an 
arrangement is adopted, the Geraniums should 
occupy the part nearest, the furnace, so that 
they may be warmed when the others do not 
r'equireit; next should come the Miscellaneous 
group ; then the Camellias, and the Heaths 
and New Holland plants. On a larger scale, 
houses of greater dimensions, either detached 
or adjoining, might be provided : there is 
economy, however, in having them adjoining. 
It will thus be seen that the principle of sepa- 
rate cultivation involves no such difficulties 
as at first might be imagined. 
Heath-hoose. — This house, besides con- 
taining the Cape Heaths, is particularly suita- 
ble for the New Holland plants, most of which 
are exceedingly handsome ; in short, than 
such an assemblage as this, it is impossible to 
conceive of anything more strikingly beautiful. 
The temperature by fire heat at this season 
should barely exceed the freezing point ; in 
fact, unless in cases where there is a proba- 
bility of the interior temperature falling more 
than four or five degrees below freezing point, 
there will be no necessity for applying artificial 
heat at all ; and nothing but the state of the 
weather at the time can decide whether such is 
likely to be the case or not. As a safe rule, it 
will generally be found, that with an external 
thermometer at thirty-six degrees, still falling, 
and a clear bright sk} r , a gentle (ire should be put 
on, increasing it, or otherwise, just so much as 
to keep out the frost, and nothing more. If 
the frost should penetrate, expel it very gently, 
and it will do the plants no harm ; but if the 
temperature is rapidly changed, the plants will 
Buffer. A free circulation of air is essential: a 
lew of the ventilators should be open night and 
day when there is no frost ; and in frosty 
weather advantage should be taken of the 
wanner parts of the day, about noon, to 
admit some portion of fresh air. 
Ericas. — The soil must be evenly and regn- 
laxly watered, so as to keep it just moistened. 
Dampness in the air should be avoided, though 
the opposite extreme of aridity is equally ob- 
jectiouable. In this, as in most oilier mat- 
ters, the mean is the proper and most success- 
ful course. Little else is required now. 
Azaleas. — The green-house Azaleas agree 
very well in the treatment they require 
with the Heaths, and may be kept in the 
same structure. Particular attention is re- 
quired to keep them regularly and evenly 
watered, for if the soil, or the roots are 
suffered to get very dry, the leaves will be 
injured, or will fall off, either of which will 
be detrimental to the beauty of the plants. A 
plant or two, of the duplicate specimens, may 
be taken into a warmer house, to bring 
forward the blossoms, which bear moderate 
forcing pretty well, but should be suffered to 
expand in a cooler temperature than that of a 
forcing-house. 
The various Cape and New Holland shrubs 
which may be kept in the same house, asso- 
ciate with the Heath in the general principles 
of treatment. Growth should by no means be 
excited by warmth for some time to come. 
Camellia-house. — Besides Camellias, the 
house may contain Rhododendrons, Oranges, 
and other thick-leaved plants. 
Camellias. — The house containing the store 
Camellias should be kept in pretty much the 
same condition, as regards temperature, as the 
Heath-house. Plant-houses should be provided 
with light moveable shutters, to fit over the 
roof ; by this means a much less amount of 
fire heat is necessary, which is of great advan- 
tage to the plants : such covers may be made 
of a light wooden frame, covered with the 
patent asphalted felt, which throws off all the 
rain. The soil must be kept very evenly 
moistened, or the flower buds will fall off: 
this they will also do, if much, or any sudden 
variation takes place in the temperature ; for 
this reason, admit air whenever the temperature 
reaches forty degrees ; and apply fire heat to 
keep it from falling below thirty-three degrees. 
Some of the forwardest of the plants will have 
been removed to a warmer house, to bring out 
their blossoms, for decorating the conserva- 
tory or drawing room. 
Oranges. — The small plants of Oranges and 
Lemons, kept for forcing into bloom, require 
similar treatment. The Mandarin Orange 
(Citrus sinensis) is excellent for this purpose. 
Rhododendrons. — The R. arboreum, and 
all the tender hybrids produced from it, are 
properly placed here. Their flower-buds will 
begin to be swelling, but the}' will not natu- 
rally expand for some lime to come. A plant 
or two may be taken occasionally to a warmer 
situation, in order to forward them, as ilny 
are at all times very desirable objects in the 
conservatory when in blossom. 
Magnolias. — Some of the tender Magnolias, 
as M. fuscata, pumila, &c. are properly grown 
here, especially the former, which is a fine 
evergreen, with aromatic scented blossoms: 
these will be advancing, and the plants must 
be kept watered regularly, or they will fall off. 
