THIRD WEEK IN DECEMBER 



purchasing them, to go to a reliable source, and to state the 

 position which the palm is to occupy. The summer is the 

 best time to buy these plants, as they then become gradually 

 inured to the atmosphere of a house, which is, naturally, 

 very different from that of the hothouses in which they 

 are quickly grown for sale. The Dragon-tree of the east 

 (Dracaena indivisa) is fairly hardy, and, like the palms, will 

 do well without much sunshine, or even direct light. Then 

 the graceful silky oak of Australia (Grevillea robusta) is also 

 nearly hardy, but it needs more sunshine and air than those 

 plants before mentioned, and has a very decided objection 

 to smoking, dropping its leaves rapidly if exposed to a 

 tobacco-laden air. Its leaves, so finely divided as to 

 resemble the fronds of a fern, are not so easy to keep 

 clean either ; and the health of all room plants is quickly 

 affected when their pores are choked with dust. A thorough 

 weekly washing from a syringe with lukewarm water will 

 suit a Grevillea ; whilst the larger-leaved plants should be 

 sponged with warm water, and, if insects are to be seen, 

 Sunlight soap. The special blight which attacks palms is 

 that most persistent enemy, white scale, and nothing but 

 constant sponging will eradicate it unless the plant can be 

 sprayed from a small scent-vaporiser with methylated spirits, 

 which effectually destroys all blights. 



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