12 INTRODUCTION. 



And in the latter, the dampness will hardly be percep- 

 tible from any number of pots one would be likely to have 

 in a single room. 



And yet again we propose to tell how even this may be 

 avoided, by the growth of plants in the Wardian case 

 an experiment at once beautiful and interesting. 



We have said that plants breathed and drank ; and so, 

 as living beings, they have many different modifications of 

 the same organization. What is nourishment and life to 

 some is poison and death to others. Who has not been 

 seized, when entering some well-stocked green-house, with 

 the desire to carry home some of the floral treasures ? and 

 who has not been perplexed what to choose? 



And with reason : some plants will flourish with window 

 culture ; others droop and die. Our subject, again : it is 

 to tell you what to choose that we have taken our pen. 



Your neighbor, the florist, grows tuberoses to perfection ; 

 yours are profuse in leaves, but never bloom : we will tell 

 you the secret of culture. 



He has violets all winter, and you sigh for a green- 

 house : it is not necessary ; he does not grow his violets in 

 the green-house ; you may have them, as well as he. 



And once again : admire as we will and must the exotic 



