208 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



The fumes of sulphur thus slowly evolved by the water 

 or steam pipes is certain destruction to mildew, and there 

 is no danger whatever to the foliage if the precautions 

 given are taken. It is our own practice to wash our hot- 

 water and steam pipes four or five times during winter 

 with this sulphur wash. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



FROZEN PLANTS. 



When by any mishap the plants, whether in parlor or 

 gi'eenhouse, become frozen, either at once remove them 

 (taking care not to touch the leaves) to some place warm 

 enough to be just above the point of freezing ; or, if 

 there are too many to do that, get up the fire as rapidly 

 as possible, and raise the temperature. The usual advice 

 is to sprinkle the leaves and shade the plants from the 

 sun. We have never found either remedy of any avail 

 with frozen plants, and the sprinkling is often a serious 

 injury if done before the temperature is above the freez- 

 ing point. In our experience with thousands of frozen 

 plants, we have tried all manner of expedients, and found 

 no better method than to get them out of the freezing 

 atmosphere as quickly as possible ; and we have also 

 found that the damage is in proportion to the succulent 

 condition of the plant and the intensity of the freezing. 

 Just what degree of cold plants in any given condition 

 can endure without injury, we are unable to state. Plants 

 are often frozen so that the leaves hang down, but when 

 thawed out are found to be not at all injured. At an- 

 other time the same low temperature acting on the same 

 kind of plants may kill them outright if they happen to 

 be growing more thriftily, and are full of sap. Much 

 depends on the temperature at which plants have been 



