CLEANLINESS. 
19 
CLEANLINESS OF PLANTS. 
Uncleanliness of the leaves and stems of Plants, 
arising from dust or insects is very injurious to their 
growth, and should be removed whenever it ap¬ 
pears, as follows: If the Plants are small, they may 
be cleaned by placing the hand across the top of the 
pot to prevent the plant falling out, then inverting it 
and immersing the plant in a pail of water, rinsing it 
well afterwards, being careful not to break the leaves, 
and if the Plants are too large, they may be cleaned 
with a sponge and a little soap and water, or clean 
water; squeeze the sponge a little,and wash the stems 
and branches, and in washing the leaves, let them lie 
flat on the left hand, and wash them with the right. 
Begin at the base of the leaves and wash from you to 
prevent breaking them. Or they can be washed with 
a water pot, by sprinkling the leaves, which in spring 
or summer will refresh them. It is very essential to 
the welfare of Plants to keep them clean, besides it 
gives them a fresh, healthy appearance. The little 
green fly (Aphis) is very apt to come on Plants in 
warm, moist weather, particularly on the young shoots, 
and under the leaves, doing them considerable injury, 
and should be destroyed as soon as it appears. Those 
who have a Conservatory or Green House, may destroy 
this insect by putting a furnace with some tobacco in 
it, to fill the house with smoke in the evening, and 
syringing the plants in the morning. Those having 
their plants in rooms and no convenience for smoking, 
may brush them off with a soft brush, or a moist sponge, 
