310 Wiiidow Greenhouses. 



are as large as I wish them to be before the winter, taking 

 care to place them in the window itself while they are so 

 treated. Even the green moss on the mould and romid the 

 pot, unsightly as it is, and betokening slovenliness, (and 

 therefore I never suffer it myself,) I fear is slandered when 

 said to kill the plant. At least, I have seen a plant perform 

 very well for years, though covered with it. Don't be talked 

 out of your saucer of water, Mrs. Wilkins, when they tell 

 you you will drown your Geranium, and that the air cannot 

 circulate about the roots if you keep it so. There is air in 

 the water ; and you do not wash away the goodness from 

 the mould half so much as by watering it from the top, and 

 letting the superfluous water run off" and carry the strength 

 of the soil with it. Only remember, you are "tendering" 

 your plant, and that it is more likely to be touched with the 

 frost or to grow "leggy." a believe I have gained by giving 

 my plants more water than my neighbors do. One winter 

 (it was a very mild one, and the plants were growing slowly 

 all through it) I watered them freely with a rose over the 

 leaves, and never had them stronger or healthier. From 

 seeing its evil effects elsewhere, I do not think I shall do so 

 again, but I am glad, for the experiment's sake, I did it then, 

 though I did it merely in ignorance that it is dangerous, and 

 not for the purpose of experiment. 



4. Respecting artificial heat, I have never yet needed a 

 fire for them. It is true, the room is between two others, 

 and so has no outside wall but the window front. If the 

 frost is only moderate, I draw a green baize curtain between 

 them and the window ; if severe, I draw two ; if a " 3Iiir- 

 phy''s^' frost occurs, I shall burn a lamp. Even one small 

 lamp in a small room makes a considerable difference in the 

 temperature. 



5. If any need larger pots before they flower, I am careful 

 not to break the ball of earth, nor do I ever disturb the roots 

 except at the September repotting, when I give them plenty 

 of drainage and a compost of black heath sand, rotted turf, 

 and completely decayed stable manure, in equal parts. 



In all this there is very little expenditure of time, trouble, 



