22 WINDOW AND PARLOR GARDENING 
syringe is required for large plants, if a green-house or pit is kept. 
For cleaning purposes a few small soft sponges and a bottle of 
fir-tree oil are better than anything else. Fir-tree oil, while a 
good thorough insecticide, is at the same time agreeable to han- 
dle and efficient for cleaning the foliage of palms and other 
plants that can easily be washed. Sticks, if possible green- 
painted ones, these being neater, and Raffia bast for tying should 
not be omitted, as these materials may be required unexpectedly. 
For propagating, any good sharp pocket-knife will do. For 
tender plants and for plants that require very moist air, there 
is nothing better than neat glass cases that can be made in any 
size with a movable top and zinc bottom. In such boxes the 
atmosphere can be kept moist by spraying, and the tempera- 
ture equable by means of shading from strong sun and ventila- 
ting. For tender ferns, clubmosses, young seedlings of Bego- 
nias, etc., these are necessary. 
It will be seen that these requisites are not difficult to sup- 
ply. Ordinary wooden boxes with a lid will do for the soil. 
Everything else can be obtained through any florist or seeds- 
man for a mere trifle. 
Pots of porous material are better than heavy ornamental 
ones. The surplus water will evaporate with greater ease and 
the air has freer access to soil and roots; both matters of 
great importance. 
For many small plants which form beautiful masses of leaves 
and flowers, such as Gloxinias, Achimenes, and many bulbs, 
low pots commonly known as fans, can be used with ad- 
vantage. Many kinds of ferns can also be grown in these. 
Hanging-baskets of earthenware are easier to use than wire 
or wooden baskets. These and square blocks of cork or wood 
are used for many Orchids and Bromeliads. 
