286 ON GROWING PLANTS IN HOUSES. 



of flowers, from Constantinople, which, as we hear, was brought 



thither from Syria, but perished quickly both with him, and to 



all other to whom he imparted it : yet, afterwards it was sent to 



to Mr. John de Franqueville, a merchant also of London, and a 



great lover of all rare plants, as well as flowers, from which is 



sprung the greatest store, that is now flourishing through this 



kingdom." 



(To be continued.) 



ON GROWING PLANTS IN ROOMS. 



BY A FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. 



To treat on the proper management of plants in houses is a subject 

 attended with considerable difficulty, every genus requiring some 

 variation both in soil, water, and general treatment. If the room 

 where the plants are intended to be placed, is dark and close, but 

 few will thrive in it ; if, on the contrary, it is light, and airy, with 

 the windows in a suitable aspect to receive the sun, plants will do 

 nearly as well as in a greenhouse ; but if they are observed to 

 suffer the effects may generally be traced to one of the four fol- 

 lowing causes, want of proper light and air, injudicious watering, 

 filthiness collected on the leaves, or being potted in unsuitable 



soil. 



The want of proper light and air, is, perhaps, the most essential 

 point of any to be considered ; for however well all other requi- 

 sites are attended to, a deficiency in either of these, will cause the 

 plants to grow weak and sickly. Let them always be placed as 

 near the light as they can conveniently stand, and receive as 

 much air as can be admitted, when the weather will allow ; in- 

 deed those persons who have no other conveniency than the 

 house to keep them in, will find that they derive immense advan- 

 tage from being, during fine weather, in spring and autumn, 

 turned out of doors in the evening and taken in again in the 

 morning, the night dews contributing greatly to their health and 

 vigour. 



Injudicious watering does more injury to plants hi rooms, than 

 many persons imagine. To prevent the soil ever having a dry 

 appearance, is an object of importance in the estimation of many, 

 they therefore water to such an excess, that the mould becomes 

 sodden, and the roots consequently perish. Others, to avoid this 

 evil, rim into the opposite extreme, and scarcely give sufficient 



