HOUSE PLANTS 141 



drainage pan or saucer. The water that collects in this 

 should be thrown away. No more water should be given 

 until the soil becomes dry on top. 



During the cold weather, care should be taken that the 

 plants are not exposed to a low temperature. 



As the roots live in such a small amount of soil, some 

 fertilizer should be added occasionally. Different kinds 

 may be bought that are specially designed for house plants. 



Insect enemies. The more common insects that may 

 occasionally attack house plants are plant lice, mealy bugs, 

 and scale insects. Plant lice, either the green or the brown 

 species, are the most common pests. One remedy is to 

 sprinkle tobacco dust on the leaves while they are moist, 

 allow it to remain a few days and then wash it off. The 

 mealy bugs appear as tiny tufts of cotton on the leaves and 

 in their axils. Both of these may be removed with a stiff 

 brush or washed with a solution of whale-oil soap, or sprayed 

 with kerosene emulsion. The red spider is a very small 

 animal found with its web on the under side of the leaf. 

 It may be removed by spraying with water. 



HOME PROJECT 14 



Purpose. To beautify the home by means of house plants. 



Directions. Talk the matter over with your parents and if 

 they are willing and the conditions are favorable, start some 

 house plants in your own home. Follow the directions given 

 in this chapter. Plant some bulbs as explained in the latter 

 part of the chapter. 



SCHOOL PROJECT 2 



Purpose. To make the schoolroom attractive by means of 

 house plants. 



Materials. Flowerpots, window boxes, house plants. 



Directions. Early in the fall the class should make plans 

 to keep some house plants in the schoolroom during the year. 



