72 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF PLANTS IN THE 
PARLOR. 
“ Descending snow, the golden leaf and sear, 
Are indications of old Time’s career ; 
The careful florist tends his sheltered plants, 
Studies their natures, and supplies their wants.” 
A Few plants in the house are desirable, or even in- 
dispensable to the female portion of the family, or to in- 
valids who have a taste for flowers. 
A choice collection of plants, in the sitting-room or par- 
lor, will add much ‘to the charms of home; but as we 
often see them, weak, straggling, drawn up, crowded to- 
gether, and infested with insects, they give pain rather 
than pleasure. 
The clear sunlight through the window, is far prefer- 
able to a congregation of coarse earthen pots and sau- 
cers, with their sickly occupants. Judging from what we 
too often see, cultivators in parlors have very erroneous 
ideas of what is necessary for a perfect development of 
their plants. In fact, the plants are often killed with too 
much kindness; too much heat, too much water, want of 
light and air, or want of water, are the general causes of 
the sickly state of plants, to which may be added, unsuit- 
able compost or mould. Saucers under the pots, if water 
is suffered to stand in them, are injurious, though neces- 
sary for the sake of neatness; never, therefore, suffer the 
water to stand in them, nor to be poured into them, The 
water should always be given on the surface, but never 
unless the surface is dry, and then for most plants, only 
in moderate quantities. Rain water only should be used, 
‘and that of a mild temperature, but not warm. "When 
