762 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



outside window-boxes as well. Of course, where there is a 

 greenhouse from which drafts can be made as required, there is 

 no difficulty in keeping up a good display. In this chapter, 

 however, it is assumed that the gardener is almost entirely 

 dependent upon a sunny window at most to furnish the plants 

 for the room. 



Source of Supply. — The source whence a plant is obtained 

 has a most important bearing upon its future welfare, and 

 particularly in the case of those foliage subjects which in a state 

 of nature require a hot, moist temperature, and whose sur- 

 roundings have as nearly as possible to be imitated when they 

 are grown artificially here. Despite the fact, however, that many 

 of our finest foliage room plants are natives of warmer climes, 

 they are sufficiently accommodating to live amidst very different 

 surroundings if they are but intelligently treated. First, then, it 

 must be urged upon the enthusiast to " beware of the seller " ; 

 for though a plant may look the picture of health and con- 

 dition when delivered, a very few days — nay, hours — may be 

 sufficient to seal its doom. The travelling hawker is always to 

 be avoided. The plants he has for disposal have been grown 

 on by a method to fit them for quick sale, and their lives are 

 most ephemeral. Indiarubber plants, Palms, Fatsias, and 

 numberless Ferns are raised in large quantities to supply the 

 markets, and such are about the worst that can be pur- 

 chased if a long life is desired. To get the best possible 

 results with Palms and such like they should be purchased 

 from a trustworthy nurseryman or florist who has prepared the 

 plants for the treatment they are likely to undergo. They should 

 also be purchased in late spring or summer: never in winter or 

 autumn. 



Frost and Draught. — These are the most powerful enemies 

 against which the cultivator of room plants has to contend. A 

 window is the most suitable position for plants generally in 

 the daytime, as there they get a maximum of light and sun- 

 shine. At night, in winter, the case is different : the window 

 then becomes nothing less than a death-trap. A good plan is 

 to have at hand a couple of wire stands, on to which the 

 plants could be moved at night, and these should be placed in 

 the centre of the room, or else in a corner where draughts 

 are not prevalent at night, and, if necessary, further surrounded 

 by a temporary screen of stout tiffany, which can easily be ■ 

 mounted upon a roughly-constructed frame. By this means the 

 dangers from frost are considerably reduced, and the plants can 

 easily be returned to their quarters in the window in the 

 morning. Some further protection may be necessary in the case 

 of Palms, and this will be referred to when dealing specifically 

 with these plants. 



