26 WINDOW GARDENING. 



in perfect beauty. A very few handsome flowering vines are much to be prefer- 

 red to spindling plants , pictures of misery, like their owners, overheated and 

 crowded into close unhealthy unventilated quarters. In our fever to provide suffi- 

 cient warmth in our rooms against the cold, we stop up every crack in our win- 

 dows, every crevice of our doors ; then with furnaces, grates or stoves at almost 

 fever heat we get warmth enough to bid defiance to the chilling atmosphere. 

 Rarely are we satisfied with a temperature in the room of less than 75°, and this 

 must be constantly maintained from early morning till late at night. A draught 

 of fresh air would quicken your blood and put a little more spirit into your coun- 

 tenances; still you aim to avoid it. Yet for the sake of your plants do it at least 

 once a day. Throw open the doors and air the room thoroughly. This can be 

 done at time for meals when it is usually vacant. The windows should not be 

 opened directly upon the plants. Some other window or door away from the 

 plants may be opened. It should be done also at the middle of the day when 

 the outer air is mildest. 



Cleanliness. 



Here close attention is again required. Plants require regular care. They 

 cannot be watered and cared for once a week and the rest of the time left to them- 

 selves, but they demand a daily amount of time to be spent upon them. Every 

 morning when house cleaning is in order, the plants must be watered and cleaned. 

 You will see how necessary this is, if you look at the nature of the plants, how 

 they live. Like our skins, the leaves of plants are perforated with hundreds of 

 minute pores through which they breathe, exhaling oxygen and inhaling carbon, 

 and also giving out and inhaling moisture. If these pores are filled up with dust 

 the plant cannot perform these functions and its life either ceases or stands still ; 

 it is not possible for it to grow or bloom. The dust of our living rooms is very 

 injurious to the health of every plant. Unless it is removed, you may as well give 

 up all hope of making your window favorites succeed. Frequent washing and 

 watering are absolutely essential. For close handling of leaves, a soft sponge is of 

 great service, for it can be used in the parlor without danger of dripping from the 

 watering-pot. Wash each leaf separately and see that both sides of it are clean. 

 To shower a plant turn it sideways over a tub of water or a sink; sprinkle it 

 thoroughly with the watering-pot. If the plants are too large to handle in this 

 manner set the pots or tubs into a larger one and either sprinkle or syringe every 

 branch and leaf. You must improvise summer showersif you would induce summer 

 growth. It is not enough to water the earth in the pot. The whole plant requires it. 

 Frequent waterings are the most beneficial culture that you can bestow upon your 

 plants. To be sure they are not easily given and will entail upon you some work. 



When sweeping and dusting your rooms, throw newspapers or a light cloth 

 over them ; this will prevent the dust from settling upon the leaves, and help 

 materially toward keeping them clean. 



Whenever a warm ram falls, and the temperature stands at 50° or 55,° set 

 all the plants out of doors, and they will be greatly refreshed and strengthened. 

 It does not follow, however, that the whole plant is watered by being thus placed 



