and the Window Greenhouse. 57 



dayj some plants giving out more than their own 

 weight. You will understand then how necessary it is 

 to keep your plants clean, so that the pores in their 

 foliage may not be stopped up and impeded in their 

 action. Wash your plants therefore every now and 

 then, and whenever there is a warm shower, during 

 summer, turn them outside and let them have the 

 benefit of it. They delight in a summer shower. It 

 does one's heart good to see how thankfully they bathe 

 in the welcome raindrops, coming back when the 

 shower is over with their faces perfectly shining. 



When you wash your plants use tepid water, with 

 a little soap dissolved in it, and a bit of sponge or 

 flannel. The operation requires to be gently done, 

 especially with Ferns. Keep the stalk of the leaf 

 between your fingers, and the leaf lying in the palm 

 of your hand, washing outwards to the point. Don't rub 

 the leaf but just draw the sponge gently over it leaf by 

 leaf. Water overhead with a rose after you have 

 finished, to wash oif any soap or dirt left. Do not 

 water over head if the plant is in bloom, but just contrive 

 to water the foliage only. Always choose a dull day, 

 or the morning or evening, to wash your plants. A 

 warm sun is so apt to blister the foliage, if dripping 

 wet when the sun shines on them. 



Light and air are absolutely necessary for the health 

 and well-being of your plants. You may as well 

 expect a prisoner shut up in a cell to grow fat and rosy 

 as expect a plant to thrive in a dark corner, where it 

 never gets the warm sunshine or breathes the free air 

 of Heaven. As soon as daylight comes in, place your 



