APRIL 293 



from which we have most of us suffered. Burning 

 things of this kind is also most useful in cases of 

 colds, influenzas, etc. Putting a piece of stale bread 

 into the saucepan when Cabbages are being boiled pre- 

 vents their smelling at all. This is pretty well known, 

 but seldom practised ; and the fact is, what causes the 

 nasty smell to pervade a house is not so much boiling 

 the Cabbages, but throwing the water while still hot 

 down the sink. This should never be done till the 

 water has cooled. 



Cultivating the art of smelling has certainly been 

 neglected of late, which for every reason is a mistake, 

 as the absence of a sense is a sign of defective health ; 

 and if children's smell were tested, it would be noticed 

 when deficient, and the reasons would be diagnosed. In 

 healthy children the power of smell is often very acute. 

 To the blind, sweet -smelling leaves are more valuable 

 than sweet -smelling flowers, which they cannot see ; 

 and the leaves last longer, pack easier, and would be 

 much appreciated in hospitals for eye diseases. 



Another very interesting letter I received about my 

 last book I will quote : ' I am simply writing with the 

 object of calling your attention to a group of plants 

 which I have in my small way been cultivating for 

 years, and which give me great pleasure every summer. 

 I refer to the night -flower ing and night -seen ted plants. 

 To a business man like myself they are specially wel- 

 come, as my time is all occupied with business during 

 the day, and the evening only is left in which we can 

 enjoy our gardens. The most interesting in the group 

 is that exquisite little gem of an annual, Schizopetalum 

 WalJceri. It has no English name, unfortunately ; you 

 will find it in William Thompson's catalogue. This 

 little flower is pure ivory white, of a Maltese cross 

 form, and after dark throws out a most delicate per- 



