and the Window Greenhouse, 59 



one way, as if supplicating the approach of the light 

 they cannot do without ; and if at the same time they 

 are denied a hreath of fresh air they lead a wretched 

 existence, and ultimately die of sheer neglect. I do 

 not believe any of my readers would allow their pretty 

 plants to, come to such an untimely end. No, no! 

 give the poor plants what is so necessary to their 

 existence — plenty of light and air, sunshine and shower. 

 Keep them clean and tidy and they will show their 

 gratitude in many ways ; and never forget to turn your 

 plants round every two or three days, or else they will 

 be sure to grow one sided. Give them plenty of air 

 by opening the window every day^ when not too cold. 

 Open the window from the top, never from the bottom, 

 which causes a cold draught. They do not like a cold 

 draught any more than we do ourselves. On fine days 

 during a warm shower, place them outside ; it will do 

 them great good and give them robust constitutions, 

 and enable them to stand any extremes they may be 

 exposed to ; just as when we ourselves take plenty of 

 open air exercise we are not so liable to catch colds in 

 windy and cold weather as those who keep indoors 

 afraid for a breath of air to blow upon them. 



In the management of the miniature greenhouse we 

 constructed in a former chapter airing is one of the 

 principal things connected with it. Do not be afraid 

 of giving it air during fine weather — during the summer 

 especially. Before the morning sun is much on it, you 

 should give it a sprinkling with water at about 65 or 

 70 degrees of heat, all round the inside and over the 

 plants, with a small syringe or fine rose. This refreshes 



