In these pits a boarded stage is formed, on which the plants are set, so as to be almost touching the glass during winter; during summer a bed of tan is substituted for the boarded stage, and no fire-heat is applied, but the plants plunged in the tan.
The following is the general course of temperature aimed at:—
Temperature during the first fourteen days in October, when the plants are removed from the hot-beds of bark to the stages in the flued pits, 87° Fah.
Temperature from this time till the 20th of the January following, from 55° to 64°.
Temperature from January to March not under 55°. Lowest degree admissible during winter 42°. Highest summer heat 105°.
Temperature of the bark hot-beds, in which the plants are placed to fruit when air is given, 103°.
Ordinary summer heat for the fruiting plants 96°.