CHAPTER IV. 



PROPER TREATMENT. 



THE PROPER SOIL. SUITABLE POTS. THEIR MANAGEMENT. REGULAT- 

 ING THE RAIN. 



OW we come to actual work, the daily 

 care of your plants ; and a very pleasant 

 work it is having the character more of recrea- 

 tion than of labor. I take it for granted that 

 you propose to do it all yourselves, each of you 

 being sole mistress of her own separate realm. 

 Otherwise, you will lose much of the charm and most of 

 the profit of your "winter-greeneries." Every " Picciola" 

 needs a Charney, and will take a substitute only when 

 Charney falls sick. In such a case, with any of you, 

 others of the floral company, will, I am sure, be more 

 than competent to play the part of the kind-hearted jailer. 

 I can easily imagine further advantages accruing from 

 your happy copartnership as friends and florists. What 

 animated discussions over these letters, as you read them 

 together! What mysterious consultations, first in one 

 home and then in another, over the objects of your separ- 

 ate care, but common interest. Well, I can prophesy 

 only the happiest results. Long live the friends of flow- 

 ers ! May you prosper infinitely more than your most 

 prosperous plants ; and in your best care of them, may you 

 always find delight in the thought that you are only 

 42 



