394 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



the feet will neither cleanse the hands, nor freshen the 

 bloom of the cheeks. The Auricula, however, is one of 

 those ladies of fashion, who, fearful of injuring the dehcacy 

 of their complexions by the use of water, cleanse their 

 faces with some elegant powder as a substitute for that 

 rude element. There is a farina in the floAver of the 

 Auricula, which is usually esteemed its principal beauty : 

 this is the case with the Polyanthus also, and some few 

 others, of which the blossoms must not be watered. 



Of such plants as are succulent, it is generally advised 

 to water the leaves but seldom, lest a redundancy of 

 moisture should rot them : the merely plucking a leaf will 

 generally determine whether a plant be succulent or not ; 

 and a person may distinguish in a moment what blossoms 

 are likely to be hurt by water, by observing whether there 

 be any visible farina on them. The best way in watering 

 all plants, is rather to cast the water at, than to pour it on 

 them, as it falls more lightly. It will be observed that 

 more water, as well as more shelter, must be necessary for 

 potted plants than for plants in the open ground. 



AIR AND LIGHT. 



Flowers must not be denied the light, towards which 

 they naturally turn ; the want of it will injure their health 

 as much as the want of water, air, or warmth. 



They must also be allowed air : even those that will not 

 bear the outer air must have the air of the room frequently 

 freshened by ventilation, to preserve them in health. Care 

 should be taken not to let plants stand in a draught ; for, 

 so situated, one strong gust of an easterly wind will often 

 prove sufficient to destroy them. 



In frosty weather the windows should be kept close, and 

 at night the shutters. Those plants directed to be placed 



