The Garden Under Glass

GLOSSARY 351 humid atmosphere. In the case of a vinery this is done three times a day—at the time of opening the house, at noon, and when the house is closed for the day. Damp off.—When seedlings decay close to the soil and wither they are attacked by a disease which gårdeners call damping off. To avoid this evil, sow thinly, water carefully, keep an evenly balanced atmosphere and prick off early. Decorative.—Plants used for purposes of decoration rather than exhibition are termed decorative. A decorative plant should give a wealth of flowers if it is to retain its reputation. Dibber.—A stick or setting peg used for making holes into which to set cuttings or seedlings. It should not be sharply pointed. Dibble.—To set seedlings or cuttings into holes with a dibber. Dip.—A most effective method of ridding a pot plant from a pest is to dip it bodily in an insecticide. Choose a bucket or tub, place the palm of one hånd over the surface of the ball of soil, invert it and dip it in the insecticide working it backwards and forwards and up and down for a few minutes. Disbud.—This means to take out buds or growths which are not required. For instance after the buds of a Chrysanthemum are selected all side growths which appear are pinched out. So with peaches suitably placed growths are allowed and the others pinched out. Division.—Ferns and similar plants which have a root stock bearing many buds or crowns may be increased by breaking them apart. Every piece which possesses a bud and a few roots will under ordinary conditions grow. Dot.—A dot plant is one which is raised above its fellows. l'hey are often dotted about along the front of the staging to break the formality of the arrangement. Drawn.—A plant is said to bc drawn when, instead of being short and stocky, it is long and attenuated. This is usually brought about by too high a temperature, too moist and close an atmosphere, too great a distance from the glass, and an over-