140 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



thus the plants grown in it are prevented from ever 

 becoming fine ones or perfect in their flowering. 

 The pots also must be well drained. 



Water. — When in a vigorous growing state, this 

 plant will require a good supply, but when at rest, 

 which should be from October to Mav, it will re- 

 quire but little : if kept constantly excited, when the 

 season of growth comes on it will be found very 

 weak and sickly, and unable to produce strong 

 shoots. All young plants must be kept as near the 

 glass as possible, but not allowed to get turned with 

 the sun : a little shade should be given when the 

 heat of the sun is powerful. 



When air is given in a stove, it is necessary 

 to pour water on the paths, as the air when hot and 

 dry, circulating over the plants, drains them of 

 their juices, and the leaves are often burned, or 

 blotched, or curled up, the effect of having the 

 house too dry ; for by this the stomata, or pores 

 through which the plants perspire, are closed up, 

 and the plant becomes unhealthy and very often 

 dies. The stomata being on the under side of the 

 leaves, large drops of water are to be found there : 

 this is the perspiration of the plants, or the 

 exuding of their superabundant juices, and when 

 these are carried off too fast, it causes the plants 

 to throw off more than they can bear ; the pores 

 then become closed up, and the leaves blotched or 

 curled. 



