The Garden Under Glass

GLOSSARY 345 that the fire door, ash-pit door and damper be so regulated that the fuel will burn through, leave a workable fire in the morning, and yet keep the temperature in the greenhouse within five degrees of what it was at the time of banking in. Basal.—Growths springing from the root stock of a plant are called basal growths and in the case of most herbaceous plants, and especially of Chrysanthemums, are far the best growths to break off as cuttings for propagation. Base.—The base of a tree, a branch or a shoot, is the point whence it springs from the ground or from some lower part of the tree. BAST —The inner bark of the lime-tree known as bast or matting was at one time greatly used for tying, but is now generally superseded by raffia grass, which is more easily and deftly manipulated. Batch.—When a successional supply of plants are required the whole quantity is divided into what are known as “ batches,” and so brought along or retarded as to extend the use over as long a period as possible. Bell-glasses.—The French word cloche has since the boom-ing of French gardening well-nigh superseded the old English word, but both mean a glass cover shaped like a beil to protect or forward plants in the open ground. A few bell-glasses are always useful in the garden, but especially during the spring months. Bench System.—The practice of growing plants on benches filled with soil is very prevalent in America, but less so in England, where its occasional use is sometimes favoured by nurserymen. With American tree carnations, however, it is sometimes adopted with profitable results by private gai deners. The bench or staging is covered with eight to twelve inches of soil duly supported at the sides by boards, and the carnations are planted therein about a foot apart. The system is not recommended for amateur growers. Bicolor.—As the name implies, this is used to denote a