180 Concluding Remarks. 



extract the food necessary for the plant's existence, and 

 generally they rot away altogether from excess of 

 moisture, and the plant gradually collapses. Good and 

 proper drainage in the bottom of the pots will prevent 

 this to a great extent. You will soon learn to know 

 when a plant wants water by the appearance of the 

 surface of the ball, or by ringing the pot as I described 

 in a former chapter. You must also keep your plants 

 clean and tidy by removing all decaying parts ; keeping 

 ' the pots from getting green or dirty ; and by washing 

 your plants periodically, leaf by leaf, to remove all 

 dust that may settle upon them. You know a plant 

 breathes the fresh air by its leaves, which are in reality 

 its lungs; you will easily understand by that the 

 absolute necessity of giving them plenty of air during 

 good weather, provided there is no draught, and 

 keeping the leaves clear of dust, not to intercept their 

 air-breathing action. This you can only do by 

 washing them, using a bit of sponge or flannel and 

 tepid water. It is an operation you require to do 

 gently, never rubbing the leaf, but drawing the sponge 

 gently towards the point of the leaf. In washing the 

 delicate fronds of Ferns great care must be taken, as 

 they are easily broken or torn. You must also take 

 care never to let your plants get straggly or one sided. 

 Stake them properly, and turn them round often 

 towards the light, so that one side may not grow away 

 from the other. All plants tend to grow towards the 

 sun or light. 



Some plants require' moisture and shade more than 

 others. This rule applies more to ferns than flowering 



