116 PLATfTS IN DWELLING ROOMS. 



This is, however, by no means so common a practice as that of giving 

 too much, for in general, if anything appears to be the matter with 

 the plants, large doses of water are immediately resorted to, and if 

 recovery is not speedy it is again administered, with but little doubt 

 of its infallible restorative powers ; but such persons, like an unskilful 

 physician who gluts the weakly stomach of his patient, only hasten 

 what they are trying to prevent. This overplus of water will show its 

 bad effects by a very dark colour, and if the plant receives too little 

 the leaves will turn yellow, and eventually die. Never allow water to 

 stand in the saucer, but pour out any that drains from the pot, no plant 

 but the Aquatics will be healthy having stagnant water in the saucer, 

 it sours the soil at the bottom, and rots the roots. 



The best plan is, to always allow the soil in the pot to have the ap- 

 pearance of dryness (but never sufficient to make the plant flag) before 

 a supply of water is given, which should then be pretty copious, but, 

 I repeat, always empty it out of the pan or feeder in which the pot 

 stands as soon as the soil is properly drained. Tlie water used for the 

 purpose ought always to be made about the same temperature as the 

 room in wiiich the plants grow ; never use it fresh from the pump, 

 but either let it stand to warm all night, or take ofi:' the chill by adding 

 a little warm water to it, or the growth of the plants will be much 

 checked. 



Filthiness collected on the leaves may either arise from insects or 

 dust, the former may be speedily remedied by placing the plants under 

 a hand-glass, or anything that is convenient, and burning some tobacco 

 till they are well enveloped in the smoke ; and the latter may be re- 

 moved by occasionally washing them on tlie head with pure water, 

 either by means of a syringe, the rose of a watering pan, or with a 

 sponge if the dirt still adheres. 



By being potted in unsuitable soil is by far the most difficult part 

 of the business to rectify, for no certain line can be drawn unless each 

 genus was treated on separately ; however, as this cannot be done in a 

 paper like the present, a few general remarks which perhaps, with some 

 little exceptions, may be found to be pretty correct, will suffice ; one 

 thing, however, is essential, never have the soil sifted, but in a rough 

 chopped state, and two inches deep of drainage. 



AH plants whose branches are fragile or slender, and roots of fine 

 thready, fibrous texture, with general habits like the Ericse, as Diosma, 

 Andersonia, and Epacris, will require the same soil (peat earth) and 

 very similar treatment to Cape Heaths. 



Those whose wood and general habits partially differ, and whose 

 roots are of a stronger texture, as Acacia, Ardisia, Stenocarpus, 

 Tetrathica, Tristanea, &c., will require a portion of sandy loam, in 

 many cases about equal parts ; and where the habits differ materially 

 from the Heath only a small portion of peat earth will be required, 

 and a compost may be made a little rich by the addition of well-rotted 

 dung, or a similar soil to that prescribed for Pelargoniums. 



Almost all Cape and other bulbs, as Sparaxis, Ixia, Gladiolus, 

 Tritonia, &c., thrive best in a rich sandy loam, without a mixture of 

 peat. 



Shrubby and herbaceous plants, with luxuriant roots and branches, 



