82 LAWiV GliASS DESTROYBD BY A GUUB. 



half an hour after the plant has been watered, provided it has been 

 properly watered. The effect is, when the water is allowed to stand in 

 the pans the earth gets sour and rank, and the consequence is, tiie roots 

 rot and the plant only lives iialf its time. There are some exceptions, 

 such as the Callow, Oleander, and several others, which, while in a 

 growing state, and when making their blooms, and while in bloom, 

 should have water in the pans ; but often the water should be drained 

 off and the pan washed clean, as there are certain excrescences that are 

 thrown out by the roots and washed down by the water that would be 

 better for the plant not to absorb again. 



Another essential thing towards the well-doing of plants in rooms is, 

 that once or twice a-week they should be well washed over the foliage 

 to clear them of any accumulation of dust, as all plants in rooms per- 

 spire, and the dust stops up the pores of the plant, which the washing 

 prevents, and again the absorption that takes place in the washing 

 extends to all parts of the plant, and enables it to sustain its vigour. 



All plants should be placed as near the glass as it is possible to put 

 them ; if tliey stand away from the glass tiiey will be certain to draw 

 up and become weak, consequently the sap of tlie plant is nearly ex- 

 pended to make foliage, and the blooms will not be worth the trouble 

 of keeping the plants. Air should be given at all times when conve- 

 nient ; not violent draughts ; the windows should be put up and the door 

 shut, except in the midst of summer, when the draught is warm. There 

 will be some care required in repotting ; some good loam or sweet 

 earth from a bank or field, with some quite rotten dung and a little 

 sand, will make very good stuff for them (if you cannot get leaf-mould 

 and peat to mix with it) ; full an inch or more of broken pots or small 

 bits of tiles should be put at the bottom of the pots for a drainage (the 

 life of the plant in a great measure depends upon this). 



All plants v.'ill want potting once or twice in the year, and once 

 a-month in the growing time the top earth in the pot, to about an 

 inch in depth, should be raked oft' (taking care not to disturb the roots), 

 and some fresii earth put on, which is called top-dressing. 



To keep tlirougli the winter, all that has to be done is to keep the 

 frost from them ; be very sparing of water, only give enough to keep 

 them alive, as that will allow them a time of rest, which they require 

 for their well-doing in their future time of growth. 



It would be of great service to plants kept in rooms to be turned out 

 of doors on summer evenings and taken in again in the morning, as they 

 will absorb the soft genial dews, which will much invigorate them. 



If these instructions are followed out, I am quite sure, from expe- 

 rience, that they will do well, and give satisfaction. 



LAWN GRASS DESTROYED BY A GRUB. 



BY M. a. 



I BEG of you to permit me to avail myself of your journal to obtain 

 advice and information on a subject in which I am at present inte- 

 rested. I feel the less reluctance in preferring the request, as the com- 

 munications which may be elicited may be of public usefulness. 



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