188 THE FLOWER GARDEN COMPANION. 



on their being so situated, that they can enjoy the light from 

 a window, and if in a situation to receive the morning and 

 mid-day sun the better. The best manner of arranging them 

 is on a semicircular stage, with running casters to it, by 

 which it can be moved to any part of the room at pleasure; 

 and as light will have no beneficial effect on plants at night, 

 the stage may be removed to any part of the room most con- 

 venient, and corresponding to their nature. The dimensions 

 and construction of the stage should be in proportion to the 

 size of the window, and should be so made that the lower 

 shelf is on a level with the bottom of the window, in order 

 that the plants placed on it may receive the light. The plants 

 should be placed on the stage in such a manner, that they can 

 all receive the light from the window. They should often be 

 turned, as all plants always incline to the light, and being re- 

 versed they reverse their position also, and hence they are by 

 this method kept in handsome form, and every part of them 

 will have an equal share of vigor. 



Every opportunity should be taken to let in fresh air to the 

 room ; this may be done through the window, in fine, soft 

 weather. So essential is fresh air to plants, that the least 

 possible quantity let in mixes with the impure air and greatly 

 rectifies it, and, of course, the more pure the air, the more 

 healthy is the plant. Indeed, cleanliness and wholesome air 

 are the two principal things to be attended to in this case. 



Watering plants is by many persons considered as a very 

 difficult point in growing plants in rooms ; however, a few 

 practical hints on the subject will, I think, so simplify it, 

 that any person may water plants with the greatest advantage. 

 The rule is, that all plants indicate when water is necessary 

 to be applied, by their drying the earth in the pots. If the 

 plants suffer for the want of proper moisture, they lose their 

 leaves, and become infested with scaly insects, red spiders, 

 &c., (for a more particular notice of which, see the article on 

 Insects, page 124.) On the other hand, when they are over- 

 watered, the earth in the pots continues in a moist state, and, 



