60 WINTER GREENERIES AT HOME. 



and habits of the plants. Too much is quite possible with 

 Ferns, Lycopodiums, and the like, which should be kept 

 from direct sunlight except for a short time in the morn- 

 ing. Not enough is much the more common difficulty, 

 especially in winter. Suit the plants if possible. 



4. Too low a temperature to be suspected in the case 

 of tropical plants. Remedy, less water or more heat. 



5. Lack of nutriment roots over-crowded and 

 matted around the ball. Shift to a larger pot, or, if this 

 cannot be done conveniently, water with the liquid fertil- 

 izer [See Chap. VI., Winter Bloom, page 76], or add 

 fresh soil at the top. 



6. Bad potting by using too large a pot, or by setting 

 the plant unnaturally deep in the soil, or by giving it a 

 soil entirely unsuitable. To be made better speedily. 



7. Sudden change of temperature by drafts of cold 

 air, causing mildew on leaves, especially with Roses. 

 Partial, if not entire relief, from mildew may be obtained 

 by washing or wetting the leaves and sprinkling them 

 with Flowers of Sulphur from a pepper-box, and allow- 

 ing it to remain a few days. 



Do not wait for any diseased condition to become es- 

 tablished. When a plant begins to "complain" in any 

 way, endeavor, like a mother with her child, to find out 

 the cause and apply the remedy. A yellow leaf appears, 

 now and then, on a plant otherwise healthy, but even so 

 slight a symptom should not pass entirely unheeded ; and 

 any decided premonition of decline should receive prompt 

 and thorough attention. Turn out the ball and examine 

 the roots. Think over the past treatment of the plant 

 as compared with the directions here given, and make 

 any change which seems to be required. If individual 

 investigation and experiment do not prove successful, 

 summon your whole company as a "council of doctors," 

 consult the wisdom of the books, leave no means untried 

 for the relief of the patient. Then if death comes, you 



