WINDOW GARDENING. 



13 



Manure, the material of an old hot-bed, well rotted 

 and entirely decomposed ; the older the better. 



From these five earths all the soil for green-house opera- 

 tions is compounded. 



In treating of each plant hereafter we will give its con- 

 genial soil. 



As a general soil for potting plants, we would say two 

 parts leaf mould, one part manure, one half part loam, one 

 half part peat, one part sand. 



Insects. 



The only ones troubling house plants are, the green fly, 

 the mealy bug, the scale, and the red spider. 



Green fly is to be killed by a smoking with tobacco. Put 

 the plant under a barrel with smoking tobacco ; let it 

 remain, say fifteen minutes ; then give it a syringing. 



Mealy bug is to be searched for and destroyed. Fre- 

 quent spongings do much to keep down this pest. 



Scale is to be treated in the same way. Warm soap-suds 

 are peculiarly distasteful to the creature. 



Red spider, which is seldom found on house plants, is 

 nourished by a dry, warm atmosphere. Water is certain 

 death. Keep the foliage syringed and atmosphere moist, 

 and you will have no red spider. 



