ON ROOM PLANTS. 765 



foliage of the stout-textured species be flaccid and readily rolled, 

 especially towards the apex, water is then badly needed. The 

 rough-and-ready method previously suggested holds good least of 

 all with Palms, for, as already has been stated, they should be 

 restricted as regards root-room, and, therefore, even if dry, the 

 ringing sound is less likely to be given off. 



The best time for watering depends upon the season : in the 

 winter, morning should be selected, so long as there is no 

 danger of frosts ; while even in summer, if the cultivator does 

 not mind getting up early, morning is the best time, so long as 

 it is done before the sun gets too powerful ; otherwise his 

 operation had better be deferred until the evening. In any case 

 merely wetting the top soil is not of the slightest use — indeed 

 harmful, as it cakes the surface — the plant should have a good 

 soaking. Certain species may also be kept in splendid condition 

 by standing them frequently in pans of water, and in summer 

 giving plenty of water to the foliage as well, taking care that the 

 plants are not placed where the sun's rays would cause scorching. 



Certain plants — Cactuses, for instance — require special treatment 

 as regards watering, and this will be mentioned under their 

 respective heads. 



Soils. — Room plants are drawn from a variety of genera dis- 

 tributed over a wide geographical area, therefore the soils neces- 

 sarily differ somewhat with individual plants. Most plants, how- 

 ever, that will be dealt with here may be grown successfully in a 

 combination of fibrous loam, leaf-soil, and sand. Two parts of 

 the first-named to one part of the others will be about the 

 correct proportions. Exceptions are the Cactuses, when to 

 fibrous loam and sand should be added broken brick rubble to 

 the extent of nearly one-half; and some of the hard-wooded 

 plants like Heaths, when peat may replace the leaf-soil, though 

 it is not absolutely necessary, as has often been proved. For 

 Ferns, there should be a preponderance of peat in the compost. 

 Potting soils may be bought ready mixed in those cases where 

 no convenience exists for storing them on the premises. This 

 is the better plan to adopt. In most gardens, however, there 

 would be room, say, for providing a supply of leaf-soil. Leaves 

 of any kind can be thrown into a heap, but the best soil is 

 that prepared from the leaves of Oak and Elm, and such-like 

 forest trees. 



Stimulants. — All plants require assistance from time to time 

 in order to allow of their perfecting their growth, and of 

 recuperating those energies exhausted in bringing forth their 

 crop of flowers, fruit, or foliage. Taken all round, the most 

 convenient for the general run of gardeners who go in for 

 pot-plants are the "artificials." Where, however, the con- 

 veniences exist, there should always be kept a tub of soot-water 



