112 MANAGEMENT OF PLANTS IN ROOMS. 



being, during fine weather in spring or autumn, 

 turned out of doors in the evening, and taken in 

 again in the morning, the night-dews contributing 

 greatly to their health and vigor. 



"2. Injudicious watering does more injury to 

 plants in rooms than we imagine. To prevent the 

 soil ever having the appearance of dryness, is an 

 object of importance in the estimation of very 

 many ; they, therefore, water to such an excess 

 that the mould becomes sodden, and the roots per- 

 ish. Others, to avoid this evil, give scarcely water 

 enough to sustain life. This, however, is by no 

 means so common a practice ; for, in general, if 

 any thing appears to be the matter with the plant, 

 large doses of water are immediately resorted to, 

 for an infallible restorative. This overplus of 

 water will show its bad effects by the very dark 

 color, and flabby disposition of the leaves ; but if 

 the plant receives too little water, its leaves will 

 turn yellow, and eventually die. 



" The best plan is, to always allow the soil in 

 the pot to have the appearance of dryness (but 

 never sufficient to make the plant flag,) before a 

 supply of water is given, which should then be 

 pretty copious ; but always empty it out of the pan 

 or feeder, in which the pot stands, as soon as the 

 soil is properly drained. The water used for the 

 purpose ought always to be made about the same 

 temperature as the room in which the plants grow ; 

 never use it fresh from the pump, either let it stand 

 in a room all night, or take off the chill by a little 

 warm water, otherwise the growth of the plants 

 will be much checked. 



" 3. Extraneous matter collected on the leaves 

 may either arise from insects or dust ; the former 



