THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



which comes under the head of "overwatering," is that fre- 

 quently the pot is allowed to drain into a saucer or jardiniere, 

 and stand — a most unwholesome condition for the roots. As 

 for potting, while amateurs are apt to let plants become pot- 

 bound, yet the plant is just as miserable in too large a pot. 



House plants require judgment in handling, and if you 

 find it too great a task to decide all these delicate questions, 

 go to the "plant doctor," the florist, or nurseryman, and get 

 a prescription. 



The chief difficulty in Southern California of conducting 

 a successful greenhouse seems to be in keeping the air 

 properly humid for the delicate tropical plants. It is not a 

 matter of temperature, for while in the summer months some 

 care must be exercised to keep the heat of the sun out, a very 

 little artificial heating in winter is all that is necessary to keep 

 the even temperature required. But moisture about the roots 

 of plants is not sufficient when they have been accustomed 

 to the warm, dank dampness of the swamps of some southern 

 land, as is the case with most of the orchids, for instance. I 

 know one man who experimented successfully in the matter 

 of raising the lily-of-the-valley in a lath house, by running 

 very small pipes about through the upper part of the house 

 from which a spray so fine that it was fairly a mist was 

 thrown out into the air, and it seemed to furnish the right 

 amount of humidity for the plants to thrive under. I see no 

 reason why this same method might not be used in the small 

 glass house or conservatory, and offer it for what it is worth 

 as a suggestion. 



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