TEMPERATURE PROPAGATION. 



17 



sprinkling the plants both night and morning* The 

 dry heat of a furnace is especially injurious to 

 vegetable life. 



There are in reality two atmospheres, that of air 

 and that of aqueous vapor, although we are not so 

 accustomed to regard them. Water received into 

 the atmosphere is not dissolved, but exists in a state 

 of vapor, a distinct atmosphere, so to speak, from 

 that of air, though co-existing with it, and discern- 

 ible only when by reason of there being a large 

 quantity and low temperature it is condensed. 

 Plants cannot live for any length of time without 

 this atmosphere of aqueous vapor, and they flourish 

 in proportion to its existing in sufficient quantity. 



PROPAGATION OF HOUSE PLANTS. 



Nearly all window plants are increased by seeds 

 or cuttings. Many species sport, or do not come 

 true from seed, and the easiest, most rapid, and 

 generally the best method, is to raise them from 

 cuttings. 



Seedlings are most conveniently grown by sow- 

 ing the seed on the surface of light, rich soil in 

 shallow boxes, and covering it lightly with finely 

 sifted leaf-mold. The boxes mav be two inches 

 deep, filled to within half an inch of the top. Black 

 leaf-mold is the best possible material in which to 

 germinate seeds, as in this light substance they may 

 be safely covered to a greater depth than in soil, 

 and thus kept more moist. In soil they should be 



