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Stove (Plant-house devoted)

A plant-house devoted to the cultivation of subjects requiring a high temperature, many of which are amongst the most beautiful, either for their flowers or for their fine foliage. Where large specimens are grown, it becomes necessary to provide accommodation on an extensive scale; but, in the majority of gardens, a single Stove, or a house with a division in the centre, suffices. In a large collection, even of Stove plants, many will need a higher temperature than others: one division of a house may generally be kept hotter than the other, and so the proper requirements are met. When only one house is available, much may be done by keeping such plants as require most heat at the warmest end, and by admitting whatever air is required at the cooler end. The best form of structure suited for a Stove is that known as the span-roofed; the hip-roofed also answers well, but the wall on one side excludes a portion of the light that would be secured in the span. For the successful culture of Stove plants, particularly flowering kinds, the admission of all possible light is one of the most important conditions. When subjected to plenty of light, foliage plants also assume a more beautiful colouring, and have a shorter-jointed growth, than when situated unfavourably regarding this provision for their well-being. A plunging-bed should be provided, and heated either by hot-water pipes with cocoanut fibre above, or by tan; the latter is not always procurable, and is sometimes objected to. In large span-roofed Stoves, of from 15ft. to 18ft. in width, it is generally best to have the plunging-bed in the centre, a path down either side, and a stage next the side all round. This stage should not be of open woodwork if there are hot-water pipes beneath, but made of slate, or constructed of wood, so that some ashes or shells may be placed beneath the pots for retaining moisture.

Ventilation should be arranged so that air cannot, on entering, come in direct contact with the plants; for preventing this, it is best to place side ventilators in the walls near the pipes, and to only use others situated near the top when there is comparatively little difference between internal and external temperatures. Most Stove plants require a light shading from the summer's sun; this is best fixed on rollers, so that it may be let down and drawn up at any time, according to the weather. Generally, plenty of water and a moist atmosphere are necessary in the Stove; the plants must, therefore, be well and carefully drained, and the soil used be of an open description, whether loam or peat, in order that water may readily pass through. In the arrangement of Stove plants, overcrowding should be avoided, as growth is rapid with many of them, and the plants soon become drawn or one-sided. Cleanliness amongst plants, and also pots, is of great importance: a high Stove temperature favours the multiplication of insects, particularly if a moist atmosphere is not always maintained.