82 LADIES' FLOWER GARDENER, 



rule to trust no plant less hardy than a common Geranium out- 

 side the window all night, earlier than about the twentieth of 

 June, or later than the first of September. No doubt there arc 

 many nights before the first of these times, and after the latter, 

 during which the plaixts might remain in the open air without 

 injury. There is, however, no knowing what a night may bring 

 forth at those inconstant seasons, and therefore the safe plan is 

 not to leave the plants to chance. 



When, as often happens, plants get slightly injured by rost, 

 cold water should be sprinkled on them before the sun reaches 

 them, and this sprinkling ought to be continued as long as any 

 appearance of frost remains on the foliage. 



Water is often very injudiciously applied to plants in rooms, 

 and the evil arises from falling into the opposite extremes of too 

 much and too little. Fear of spoiling the carpet, forgetfulness, 

 and sometimes a dread of injuring the plant, are the chief causes 

 of an under supply of water. On the other hand, many have a 

 notion that such plants should be watered every day, or at stated 

 periods, without inquiring whether it be necessary or not. Saucers 

 or pans are often placed under flower-pots to prevent the water, 

 which escapes, from soiling the apartment, but in these cases the 

 saucers should be partly filled with gravel, to prevent the roots 

 from being soaked with water, or the water which lodges in the 

 saucer should be removed. 



Fanciful and elegant baskets of wire or wicker-work, and plant- 

 tables are, perhaps, preferable to common stages. The baskets 

 should have a pan, of zinc, copper, or other metal, and over this 

 a bottom pierced with holes, or a grating of wire, on which the 

 pots are to be placed. The pan is generally about an inch deep, 

 and has a plug or other contrivance by which the surplus water 

 may be drawn. Plant-tables can be constructed in the same man- 

 ner, and admit of an endless variety of forms, according to th<> 



