ON GROWING PLANTS IN ROOMS. 195 



Potting. — I consider it but superfluous saying anything about 

 propagating plants, when the cost of a small plant is so trifling, and 

 may be obtained at most nurseries. 



To begin with a plant procured from the nursery. In the first 

 place, examine if the roots are coming through the hole at the bottom 

 of the pot ; if so, this points out the necessity of repotting, which 

 must be repeated until the plant has attained the size required for 

 blooming. The size of the pot for repotting in should be about two 

 inches more in diameter than the one the plant is taken out of. 



Watering. — River or rain water is the best, and should always be 

 of the same temperature as the room in which the plant is placed. 

 The pot should always stand in a pan or feeder ; but water should 

 not be allowed to stand in it, excepting when a plant is pushing forth 

 flower-shoots or stems ; at which period many plants, particularly 

 strong growing kinds, are much assisted by having a constant supply 

 of it, not to glut them, but to allow that given to be dried up before 

 a fresh quantity is given. Particular attention should always be paid 

 that no plant be allowed to flag its leaves. In some stages of growth 

 and situation there will be found plants that will require water to be 

 given them twice in one day, and at other times not oftener than 

 once a week. The best criterion to know when a plant requires 

 water to be given is when the soil on the top of the pot appears dry ; 

 then a flooding over is sufficient. 



Filth. — With some kinds of plants the green fly is often found 

 very troublesome. Sprinkle them over with diluted tobacco-water, 

 or the plants infested may be put into a packing-case, and fumigated 

 with tobacco-paper ; by either application the insects will be effec- 

 tually destroyed. The tobacco-water or tobacco-paper may be pro- 

 cured of the tobacconists at a very trifling cost; 1$. expended in 

 either would serve for twelve months, with a number of plants. It 

 is necessary to keep the plants free from dust, and to pick off decayed 

 leaves ; also frequently stirring the mould on the surface with a 

 blunted stick. They will require washing over their tops once 

 a-week, either by means of a syringe or watering-pot. In frosty 

 weather, watering over their tops should be performed in-doors. 



Aii- and Light. — When the air is not frosty, a free circulation is 

 at all times beneficial. In order to have healthful- looking plants, 

 the branches should not be allowed to touch each other, and should 



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