290 WINDOW GARDENING. [CHAP. XI. 



the want of proper light and moist air : though 

 this latter want may, in some measure, be ob- 

 viated, by opening the window in front of which 

 the plants stand, whenever circumstances will 

 permit. It should never be forgotten that at- 

 mospheric air is as essential to plants as water ; 

 and that they are seriously injured by being 

 forced to inspire air at their breathing pores 

 that is in too dry a state for them. I have 

 often observed the healthy appearance of plants 

 belonging to cottagers ; and I believe it arises 

 principally from the habit that most poor people 

 have, of setting their plants out in the rain 

 whenever there is a shower. This, by clearing 

 the leaves of dust, enables them to perform 

 their various functions, and to take in nourish- 

 ment both from the rain and the atmospheric 

 air. Without a sufficiency of air and light, 

 plants will soon become weak and sickly, and 

 their leaves will turn yellow : but, if a little 

 fresh air be given to them every day when the 

 temperature is not too cold, they will grow 

 nearly as well in a room as in a greenhouse. 



Another reason why plants kept in rooms are 

 generally unhealthy is, that they are watered in 

 a very irregular manner. Sometimes they are 

 suffered to become so dry that the mould in 

 which they grow will crumble under the pressure 

 of the finger, and the spongioles of the roots 

 are quite withered ; and then water is given to 

 them, quite cold from the pump, though they 

 have probably been standing in a temperature 

 of from 60° to 70° ; and part of this water is 

 suffered to remain in the saucer for a day or 

 two, till even the healthy part of the roots is 



