0\ THE TKEATMENT OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS IN llOOMS. 221 



placed. The j)ot should always stand in a pan or feeder, but water 

 should not be allowed to stand in it, excejiting when a plant is 

 pushing forth flower-shoots or stems, at which period many plants, 

 particularly strong gromng 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 jilant 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 

 tlie top of the pot appears dry ; then a flooding over is sufficient. 



Filth. — With some kinds of plants the gi'een 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 fumi- 

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

 cfl'ectually destroyed. The tobacco-water, or tobacco-paper, may 

 be procured of the tobacconists at a very ti'ifling cost ; one shilling 

 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 ofi" decayed leaves ; also frequently stining the mould on 

 tlie surface with a blunted stick. They will require washing over 

 tlieir tops once a week, either by means of a s^ninge or watering- 

 pot. In frosty weather, watering over their tops should be per- 

 formed in-doors. 



^ir and Liyht. — When the air is not frosty, a free circulation 

 is at all limes beneflcial. In order to have healthful-looking plants, 

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

 always be kept as near the light as possible, frequently turning the 

 plants, to prevent the heads being defonncd, as the natural incli- 

 nation is to lean towards the light 



I'mtiiiiij. — Taking ofl' the jioint of the main shoot of a woody 

 plant \s lien young, causes it to gi-ow bushy, and be fonned of a 

 liand.some shape. Also, when a plant is making shoots for flower- 

 ing, taking off the points of the most luxuriant shoots, tends to 

 increase the quantity and size of the blossoms. 



Hipen'iDij the Buds. — The singularly fonned foliage, or shape of 

 Millie jiliiiils, may obtain for them a jilare in collections, but in 

 ^encral most plants are admired for ihoir blossoms. In order to 

 luive lUeiu in perfccliuu as well as profusion, it in liighly essentia! 



