PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 



19 



plants are injured by too much heat ; some hold that no 

 artificial heat should be afforded, unless necessary to keep 

 off the frost ; but as we wish our camellias to bloom at a 

 season when there is but little else to ornament the house, 

 it is advisable to force them moderately. 



A safe rule is, never to allow the temperature to fall 

 below forty degrees at night, or rise above sixty-five or 

 seventy degrees during the day. The plants will thus 

 expand the flowers more slowly and naturally, and there 

 will be no complaint of dropping buds, imperfect flowers, 

 and yellow, sickly foliage. One prime mistake in flori- 

 culture is the little attention paid to uniformity of tempera- 

 ture ; a plant can no more preserve a healthy state when 

 exposed to an atmosphere varying from thirty to one hun- 

 dred degrees in a few hours, now dry and now surcharged 

 with moisture, than can an animal. The progress of dis- 

 ease may be more gradual, but it is sure to show itself, 

 and, sooner or later, the death of the plant is the result. 

 The plants, when in bloom, should be shaded, as thus the 

 flowers remain in perfection much longer. Give the plants 

 plenty of air at all times, but during the season of growth 

 protect them from chilling draughts, which would cause the 

 young leaves to curl and stunt the plant. During the 



