THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 241 



every one lias not noticed how totally different their appearance is in 

 the early morning ; even when there is not enough wind to feel the 

 least breath upon your face, you may perceive a constant agitation 

 going on amongst the leaves, making the sunbeams glitter on their 

 bright surfaces, moving to and fro, and dancing and sparkling as 

 though they thoroughly enjoyed their gambol with the zephyr which 

 refuses to woo your own cheek. And they really do enjoy it, for the 

 leaves are the lungs of the plant, and therefore a plentiful supply of 

 fresh air is as necessary to keep it in health as it is to a human 

 being. So never be afraid of keeping the window open, but do it as 

 much as possible when the weather is not cold, and it can be done 

 without exposing them to a thorough draught. 



Another matter of the utmost importance is cleanliness. Per- 

 sons living in the country can have but little idea at what an 

 astonishing rate the dust accumulates in London, or in any large 

 town where there is a great traffic. In fact, the dust is one of the 

 greatest enemies of the city house-wife — the dragon with which she 

 has constantly to do battle with duster, scrubbing-brush, and flannel. 

 A very short time suffices for the leaves of a plant to get covered 

 with dust, and if not frequently removed they turn brown and 

 wither, for it effectually stops those processes from going on which 

 are equivalent in a plant to breathing and perspiring, by stopping up 

 the pores of the leaf. The best way of removing it is by frequent 

 washings with clean water, which has just got the chill off", and a 

 flannel or sponge is the best thing to use for the purpose. This 

 operation can scarcely be performed too often, if done with sufficient 

 care ; and it is quite delightful to see how refreshed and invigorated 

 your pets will look after their periodical washings. Whenever an 

 opportunity occurs, place them out in mild showers, when they will 

 receive a benefit which can be scarcely imparted to them by any 

 artificial means. Let us hope that the time is not far distant when 

 every one, be they ever so poor or ever so badly ofl' for want of 

 space, may be able at least to grow a few plants of their own, and 

 cultivate their window-gardens ; for although it may frequently 

 provoke a smile of ridicule or a gesture of contempt to see a poor 

 long-legged geranium growing on the window-sill of some wretched 

 home, in a cracked tea-pot ; yet still it ought to tell the reflecting 

 mind one thing, that in that locality there beats at least one heart 

 who can appreciate the beauties of nature, that, did more favourable 

 circumstances surround it, would revel as much as you do in the joys 

 which are to be found in green fields, shady woods, and flowery 

 lanes. Those poor, weak, miserable-looking objects, fit only we 

 should consider for the muck-pit, are not cherished because of the 

 beauty of their appearance, but because they whisper to them of 

 those enchanting scenes of nature which it is so seldom their good 

 fortune to witness. 



TOL. II. — NO. Till. 



16 



