iO WESTERN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



will grow. The high temperature which most of the 

 dwelling- houses are kept up to in this country, and the lack 

 of moisture caused by the same, makes it very difficult to 

 grow plants. We very often hear of injury to plants from 

 gas and furnace heat ; this really means that the vitality of 

 the air has been exhausted by the methods of lighting and 

 heating. In this cold climate, where so much heat is needed 

 to keep the houses warm, we must have some means of sup- 

 plying moisture if we want to succeed with plants in the 

 house in the winter months. And I would advise all who 

 wish to have plants succeed in the winter to have a very 

 shallow tin or tank made the size of the window in which 

 they wish to grow their plants. The tin to be about two 

 inches deep, in which invert saucers and place the plants on 

 them ; keep water in the tin not quite the height of saucers. 

 I have never seen this idea tried, but I have advised many to 

 do so. This would counteract the dry atmosphere, and cause 

 a moisture to rise among the plants, and thus aid them in 

 their otherwise struggle for existence. This would apply to 

 our winter months, but would be very beneficial even in sum- 

 mer. The rubber sprinkler would be another great help in 

 growing plants, and could be used in connection with the 

 tank to sprinkle the plants overhead once or twice a week in 

 winter and oftener in the summer. As soon as the weather 

 is mild enough to open the windows we should do so at once 

 and let in the fresh air full of moisture, which is as welcome 

 to the plants growing in the dry air as the stream is to the 

 thirsty traveller. 



Ventilation is another very important thing in plant 

 growing, and ought to be given with great caution during 

 the fall, winter and spring months. Lift the sash about an 

 inch or two in the middle of the day, or open another window 

 to avoid all draughts strong enough to stir the foliage in 

 that part of the room where the plants are ; never ventilate 

 unless the temperature where the plants are is above fifty- 

 five degrees. Plants generally suffer more from the temper- 

 ature being too high than if it is too low. No plants are 

 likely to be grown in a house which would not thrive in tern- 



