SUITABLE PLANTS. 37 



their leaves in autumn from habit rather than frost. It 

 is their way of resting, or going into winter-quarters. Of 

 course, you will leave all such hibernating plants un- 

 disturbed out-doors, or in the cellar. 



5. Consider the texture of the leaves. As a general 

 rule you may safely take plants having leaves tough and 

 leathery like the Hedera, or hard and smooth like the 

 palm, or the Ficus repens, or merely smooth and lus- 

 trous like the Begonia manicata. But, unless you have 

 a " Wardian Case/' beware of the tender-leaved plants, and 

 especially of such as are fuzzy, like the Primulas and 

 some varieties of the Begonia Rex. The leaves are vital 

 organs of the plant, and cannot perform their functions 

 well except when clean. All the first-mentioned submit 

 to sponging and drenching with evident delight; but 

 many of the latter will hardly bear the touch of water, 

 while the hairs studding their surface catch and hold the 

 dust of the daily sweeping. So in selecting plants for the 

 wear and tear of the e very-day room, it is very necessary 

 to find leaves which are ' ' warranted to wash." 



6. Semi-tropical plants are generally to be preferred to 

 the strictly tropical. Many of the latter, like the Cissus 

 discolor, and the Tuberose, cannot be expected to nourish 

 in the moderate day temperature which is most healthful 

 for us, say of 65 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other 

 hand, the more hardy plants of temperate regions are likely 

 to suffer from the heat common in sitting-rooms, and 

 would do much better in any cool, airy place, free from 

 frost. You need therefore to take observations determin- 

 ing the thermal latitude of your respective rooms, and 

 select accordingly. 



7. A few plants, like the ffedera, bear a great deal of 

 neglect and ill usage, and give admirable lessons in long- 

 suffering and patience. Of course, they are all the more 

 capable of responding appreciatively to the better treat- 

 ment. Let me specially commend them to your favor- 



