THE INDOOR GARDEN 93 



spread of mildew, dust plants that are affected 

 by it with flowers of sulphur. 



While all known houseplant enemies have 

 not been enumerated above, those commonly 

 met with have, and the means of combating 

 them here described are the result of practical 

 experiences. Therefore the window-gardener 

 may have at hand for ready reference these 

 various suggestions of a practical nature that 

 will, it is hoped, awaken a wider interest in the 

 necessity of studying the matter if you would 

 have an indoor garden of healthy, beautiful 

 plants. 



One of the greatest enemies known to indoor 

 flowers is dry heat, and plants should never be 

 set near a radiator. Rubber plants and palms 

 are very apt to dry up and their leaves will 

 crack. Much of this condition can be arrested 

 by washing the leaves once a week with a 

 sponge wet with milk. There seems to be just 

 enough grease in the milk to feed the leaves, 

 and it will be found an added help to pour 

 either olive or castor oil on the roots of these 

 plants once every fortnight. 



It must also be remembered that plants may 

 be as greatly injured by too much water as by 



