1904.] ESSAY. GO 



No plant save tlic a(|uati(' can lloiirisli or flower from a sour 

 or sodden soil, made so from over watering. More delicate 

 jjlants are ruined by over watering — like our beautiful lawns — 

 than by lack of water. \\'hen ])lants need watering give them 

 a thorough soaking so the soil in the pot will be wet through. 

 Rain water is the best, as it contains a small supply of ammonia 

 and sulphur. A\'ater at a temperature of 55" to 60° should 

 be given at all times. No function in the growth of our plants 

 is of grcniter iniportanc(^ to their welfare than intelligent water- 

 ing. All a(iuatics, callas tuul rubbers rec^uire large (quantities 

 of water. Our charming ferns must have a moist atmosphere 

 to develop their delicate fronds and exquisite foliage, from the 

 beautiful maiden hair to the grand Bostonese fern with its 

 two charming seedUngs Piersonii and Annie Foster. Nothing 

 in foliage gives a more striking and pleasing effect than these. 

 For corners and canopies nothing equals the asparagus plumosa, 

 with its delicate feathery foliage; and for hanging pots the 

 asparagus sprengerii, with its vivid green foliage, makes our 

 conservatory a bower of exquisite beauty. These gems of 

 nature are admired by all, from the merry school children 

 wdio loiter to gaze at them, to the busy housewife, who steals 

 away from her weary labors, to tend carefully these objects 

 of her affections. 



INSECTS. 



Now like our skins the leaves of plants are perforated with 

 hundreds of minute pores, through which they breathe, ex- 

 haling oxygen, inhaling carbon. If these pores are filled up 

 with dust the plant cannot perform these functions, and its 

 life either ceases or stands still — it is impossible for it to grow 

 or bloom. Frequent washing of the leaves is absolutely essen- 

 tial. In a window garden, when sweeping and dusting your 

 rooms, throw newspapers or a light cloth over them. This 

 will prevent the dust settling on the leaves. For close handling 

 and washing, a soft sponge is of great service. The previous 

 anxieties of the window- garden are but light compared to the 

 deadly warfare he is forced to wage against the insects which 

 not only infest the plants, but the soil in which they grow 

 6 



