CHAPTER Vin 



KEEPING YOUR PLANTS HALE AND HEARTY 



Why do plants go wrong? In nine cases out 

 of ten it is not just because you haven't a special 

 house you can devote to that particular thing, 

 and an imported gardener who is an expert in 

 growing it. Nor any of the other causes you 

 may think of, or your friends suggest. Mostly 

 plants go wrong because they are not given 

 common-sense care. Just the common-sense, 

 every-day things that keep plants hale and 

 happy are not attended to. Forget to feed the 

 baby, or the cat, and you are soon audibly re- 

 minded of it; if you don't keep the oven warm 

 enough the effect is realized when you look at the 

 cake! 



But the occupants of your glass garden, if they 

 are neglected, have to suffer in silence. The re- 

 sult of the neglect which may be going on is in- 

 visible for days, weeks, or months; and by the 

 time it does become obvious it is in many cases 

 too late to remedy it. 



No, it is not enough merely to know your 



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