/AN.] AND CONSERVATORY. $53 



nearest to the furnaes, above the flues, &c. may re- 

 quire a little once in two or three days, and others 

 placed in cooler parts, only once a-week or ten 

 days ; the succulent kinds, perhaps but once in two 

 or three weeks. But particular attention should be 

 paid to the state of health, and of growth in which 

 the plants respectively are, in the application of wa- 

 ter at this season ; otherwise much mischief may be 

 done, and many plants may be ruined. 



Plants in a state of absolute inaction, require 

 little water at any season ; and none at this pe- 

 riod, further than merely to keep the earth about 

 their roots from becoming perfect dust, by the oc- 

 casional application of a very small quantity at root. 

 Such should have no water over the foliage ; nor 

 indeed any of the others at this time, unless merely 

 to clean them from insects ; which, if they be not 

 very dirty indeed, had better be delayed till next 

 month, when the sun will begin to have more power 

 and a better effect in drying their leaves. 



By the help of a small bellows, most plants may 

 be kept clear of dust; which is a mode of cleaning 

 them, preferable to that of watering or sponging, 

 at this particular season. This instrument should 

 therefore be employed as often as occasion shall 

 point out. 



Be careful, however, to divest the plants of all 

 dead or damped leaves, as they appear, and to wipe 

 up spilt water ; for damp induces damp, and decay 

 follows of course. 



