FLORAL DECORATION OF THE HOME 21 



with the seasons of the year, and the temperature 

 of the apartment in which they are living, but 

 broadly speaking, in dry or warm weather, they 

 should be watered every two days. 



When watering, it is best to do them thoroughly 

 so that the water runs right through the pot It 

 is no good moistening the top soil only, as the 

 majority of the roots live down at the bottom of 

 the pots. If a plant is ever allowed to get thoroughly 

 dry it is no use pouring water on it as it only runs 

 down the side of the pot from which the soil has 

 shrunk : it must be plunged into a pail of water 

 for some minutes, and then allowed to drain 

 thoroughly before being replaced in the room. 



A mistake which is often made with large Palms 

 is to put smaller plants, Ferns, &c., on their pots, 

 thus preventing the soil from getting light and air, 

 and causing it to become sour. It is most essential 

 that the soil be kept sweet, and I recommend 

 nothing more than a little fresh green moss for 

 covering the soil, and that to be frequently 

 changed. 



It is absolutely necessary, if a plant is to live in 

 a room, that the leaves be kept scrupulously clean, 

 as they breathe through the pores of the leaves just 

 as we breathe through our lungs. Nothing but 



