The Garden Under Glass

246 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS painted if need be. After the painting has been done the pipes should be lampblacked, the walls whitewashed or painted, the soil on the floor taken out to a depth of three inches, the floor flooded with hot water if insects abound, the ventilators and heating valves greased, and the heating apparatus flushed out. When this has been done the staging may be rebuilt, shelves erected, fresh shingle put on the stagings, fresh soil or ashes on the floor, and every-thing put ready for the immediate reception of the plants. Work Among the Plants Opportunity should be taken of favourable weather to stake and tie the plants, clean ofif dead leaves, nip out flower buds (in several cases), give a slight top-dressing of fertiliser, and wash the outside and bottom of the pots. It may happen that the plants are pest infested, and in such a case it becomes necessary to syringe, sponge or dust them to destroy the evil. Broken pots and labels should be replaced, and the stake should be of sufficient strength to support the plant until it has given its flower. The wash-ing of the pots must be delayed until the last moment, else a heavy rain will render them as dirty as ever. In all probability there will be other regulär occupants of the house, and these must be treated so that the housing of the outside plants may coincide with a new era of clean-liness. If they are infested with mealy bug, thrip or scale, they must be gone over with a small brush and some methylated spirits, touching each bug or scale, and then sponging them with a good insecticide used to the füll limit of strength clirected, syringing the plants afterwards with clear soft water. The leaves will scarcely be dry the same night, but on the following evening, when all the leaves are dry, the house should be closed and fumigated to