Parlor-Plants. 343 



Vegetable as well as animal organizations breathe ; and the air of many 

 " living-rooms " and parlors is rank poison. Plants are delicate, and soon 

 show the effects. On man the poison acts more slowly, but not less 

 surely. 



Gas is always injurious to plants ; and, from all burners, more or less 

 passes unconsumed into the atmosphere : therefore, if possible, grow your 

 plants in rooms which are not gas-lighted. The plants which are not 

 injured by gas are very few in number. 



Furnace-heat is injurious only because it is usually very dry, and almost 

 always impregnated with escaped gases. Evaporate plenty of water, and 

 see that the furnace is tight, and your plants will not suffer. 



Plenty of light should be given ; and plants in windows should be fre- 

 quently turned, lest they become drawn and one-sided. The morning sun 

 is better than the afternoon \ and the more sun, the better. 



The surface of the soil in the pots should be frequently stirred, as the 

 aeration thus produced contributes to the health of the plant. 



Worms should not be allowed in the pots. They may be removed by 

 turning the pot upside down, and giving the edge a sharp stroke, when the 

 ball may be removed from the pot, and the worms, which will usually be 

 found on the outside of the ball, may be picked out. Watering with weak 

 lime-water will usually make the worms come to the surface, and is not 

 injurious to the plants. 



Insects seldom trouble plants that are washed or syringed once a week. 

 All are easily removed, — the green-fly, or aphis, by smoking with tobacco ; 

 mealy-bug, and the various kinds of scale, by washing ; and red spider, by 

 syringing. 



So much for general treatment ; but our list of plants and special cul- 

 tural directions must be delayed until our ne.xt number. 



E. S. R., J tin. 



Glen' Ridge, November, 1868. 



