94 ANNUAL REPORT. 
or the dwellings of that numerous class between those two extremes—they 
never clash with the richest surroundings, or look out of place amidst the 
most elegant and costly appointments. On the other hand, they give an air of 
elegance and refinement to the poorest abode, without making the furniture 
look shabby by contrast, even though it be of the roughest and scantiest de- 
scription. Of one thing we may be assured, that where we find flowers in 
any abode, whether of rich or poor, there we shall find cleanliness, and a 
natural refinement which prompts to the making of home comfortable and 
attractive. Perhaps it would be in vain to look for plants in the homes of 
our laboring classes during the winter; and, indeed, it would not be fair 
to expect it, on account of the impossibility of excluding the frost, without 
keeping up a fire at night—an expense which their means will not warrant 
them in incurring. But there are numbers more fortunately circumstanced, 
who, having houses thoroughly warmed both day and night, would run no 
risk of having their plants frozen. 
Window-Gardening. 
Window gardening is especially and emphatically the province of the 
ladies, and is one of their rights which none will dispute, or attempt to 
debar them from exercising. What a relaxation they would find it, to turn 
from the worries and cares of their household duties—from the ‘‘ res au- 
gusta domi”—to their plants; and I may say that the satisfaction to be 
derived from their cultivation, would be in proportion to the judicious 
care and attention bestowed upon them. Though it not infrequently hap- 
pens that, in spite of all the care and attention lavished upon them, the 
plants, after doing well for a time, go back on their cultivation, and die. 
But with proper care and judicious attention, barring accidents, success 
is pearly certain; and my object is to show some of the causes of these © 
disappointments, and point out how they may be avoided. In the culti- 
vation of pot plants several points should be observed. First in impor- 
tance comes watering, on the proper performance of which, perhaps, more 
than on anything else, the health and prosperity of the plants depends, 
and from want of a proper appreciation of which fact arise most of the 
failures which amateurs incur. In the great majority of cases where 
plants are not healthy and thriving, the cause lies here: either they over- 
water, or they do not water sufficiently. Many people keep their plants 
standing in saucers ftll of water, by which means the soil gets completely 
saturated, and turns sour; the plant consequently becomes unhealthy, and 
loses its leaves. Soon the plant dies, much to the surprise of the owner, 
who cannot think what could have ailed it, little imagining that it was her 
mistaken kindness that did the mischief. Pots often dry out on the sur- 
face, while the soil is sufficiently moist below, and to water while in this 
condition only does harm. This surface drying often happens in warm 
rooms. The best way to ascertain when a plant requires water is fo rap 
the pot with the knuckles. If it gives a hollow sound, water is required; 
but if the sound be dull, the plant is wet enough. In some instances, as 
when pots have become very full of roots, they will not sound, when 
struck, even though the soil be dry. When this is suspected, lift the pot 
with the hand, and judge from the weight. On the other hand, plants 
