WINTER MANAGEMENT OF PLANTS IN FRAMES. 
233 
be also considered that though accommodation may be found in 
the shape of platforms and shelves, for a great number of plants, 
yet a smaller number will undoubtedly succeed better in the 
same space; crowding plants is in itself a most reprehensible 
practice, for in a space containing a certain quantity of air there 
may be sufficient for a healthy supply to a limited number of 
plants. Yet if that is doubled or increased beyond the proper 
number, it necessarily follows there must be a decrease in the 
individual supply ; and besides this there is an increased amount 
of perspired and consequently impure air : this is a most pro¬ 
lific cause of the many failures which annually occur. 
We think a great improvement might be effected in the con¬ 
struction of pits and other places intended for this purpose, by 
inclosing them in air-tight chambers; that is, to have two walls 
instead of one ; or it might be rendered clearer by supposing a 
pit of the usual construction surrounded by another slight 
brick wall, at a distance of from four to six inches from the ori¬ 
ginal, and the two connected at top with tiles cemented on so 
as to exclude all communication with the external air; this ca¬ 
vity would contain heated air, caused by the radiation of that 
in the inner walls. And so also with the coverings over the 
glass, used at night and very severe weather; if these are elevated 
a few inches above the lights they are found far more effective; 
in fact, two mats so placed are fully equal to three placed in 
contact with the glass; from the same reason, we think two 
walls better than one, as a medium or non-conductor is placed 
immediately between the heated air in the interior of the frame 
and the cold at the exterior. We once tried the experiment 
with two hand-lights ; a thermometer was placed in each, and 
the one covered with a closely fitting covering, and the other 
glass with a covering kept at about three inches from it; all 
around this latter was 2^-° higher when examined than that with 
the close covering. 
In conclusion, we may remark as the season for active pre¬ 
paration for this part of floriculture is at hand, cultivators will 
do well to thoroughly consider the best means, and to improve 
them so far as they are defective ; and having done so, zealously 
set to work with their winter management. Editor. 
