A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



49 



CHAPTER VIII. 



NOVEMBER. 



All out-of-door work is now over, and for the next five 

 months the window plants alone command our attention. 

 The amount of work necessary to be done in watering, air- 

 ing, and otherwise caring for them, is small, but the details 

 are many. 



A plant in a pot follows an essentially artificial life. 

 The sun alone ministers to its wants. The dew, rain, 

 air, and all else it needs, are supplied by human hands. 

 As it has no voice and cannot make its wants known, 

 the only course for the cultivator to pursue is to sup- 

 ply each and every want before it exists. By doing this, 

 regularly and persistently, success may be assured. 



Watering is one of the most important things to be at- 

 tended to in the care of house-plants. The time to do it is 

 always the early morning, about breakfast time. Which 

 days to give water can be ascertained from the plant or the 

 weather. Of course, if the plant has wilted, it must be 

 watered at once, be the time what it may. 



The surface of the soil in the pot, and the pot itself, will 



serve for guides in this matter. Give water when the soil is 

 4 



