PROCEKPIXGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 305 



one or two degrees below freezing point Avithout injury ; there 

 are some camelias which cannot be successfully cultivated in 

 rooms ; those which succeed best are, double white, Fimbriata, 

 Imbricata, Pordii and Sarah Frost; these will be found to give 

 more satisfaction than any other kinds. Washing the leaves of 

 camelias with a sponge will be found very beneficial in preventing 

 the attacks of the red spider, which is one of the greatest pests 

 that we have to contend with. Injudicious watering does more 

 harm to plants than most people are aware of, some persons kill 

 all Avith too much, others with too little, the best plan is to allow 

 the soil to have a slight appearance of dr3aiess, but not sufficient 

 to cause the leaves to droop, then water moderately. Water 

 should never be alloAved to remain in the saucers. Some persons 

 have an erroneous idea that the saucers should be filled with 

 water, plants may grow and flourish for some time, but being so 

 opposite to their nature causes premature decay. The next thing 

 of importance is potting in suitable soil. Many persons imagine 

 that all that is requisite is soil, let it be good or bad. We have 

 seen plants potted in common street manure, the owners laboring 

 under the impression that it was the very best kind for them 

 because it Avas black. Unsuitable soil and large pots, generally 

 given to small, weak plants for the purpose of causing them to 

 groAv, is, in nine cases out of ten, the cause of their death, aa^c have 

 seen plants, scarcely six inches in height, in pots large enough to 

 contain a good sized orange tree, besides being filled to the brim 

 with soil, and frequently Avatered with soap-suds, how can any 

 person expect a plant to thriA^e under such treatment? as well 

 might you expect a horse to groAv fat, if fed upon corn-cobs, husks 

 and cut straAv, Avhich some gentlemen maintain are excellent arti- 

 cles of diet. Giving small pots to AA^eak plants encourages the 

 groAvth of the roots toAvards the sides of the pot in search of air 

 and moisture. In potting plants glazed pots should never be 

 used, as they prevent the evaporation of all impurities, through 

 the sides of the pots. 



It has been thought by some that keeping plants in rooms is 

 injurious to health. Plants absorb carbonic acid gas by the 

 upper surface of the leaves, and give out oxygen by the under 

 side, and in this manner purify the air as far as animal life is 

 concerned. It does not appear that any exhalations of plants 

 are injurious to human beings, as Ave find those Avho are con- 



[Am. Inst.J T 



