44 
THE LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
deformity than that which they are intended to conceal. Perhaps, a 
better method of softening the effect of the stone walk would have been 
to sink it an inch or two below the surface of the lawn, when it would 
have been nearly hidden by the grass. In every other respect, Redleaf is 
nearly perfect; but, like Lady Broughton’s, it is not shown to the public. 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANTS IN ROOMS. 
BY MRS. GLOVER. 
It is a general complaint that plants in rooms have generally a sickly, 
unhealthy appearance, particularly during winter ; which is attributed, and 
I believe with justice, to the dryness of the air (see LindleyY Theory of 
Horticulture, p. 151). However, it is very possible to keep plants in 
rooms, even during winter, in perfect health, as I have experienced myself. 
Some years ago, I had the misfortune to break my ankle, and, owing to 
some mismanagement in the setting, I have been so lame ever since, that 
walking is painful to me. As before this period I used to be very fond 
of gardening, I at first felt my affliction severely; but I now find as 
much pleasure in watching my plants in pots, as I ever did formerly from 
cultivating those in the open garden. 
As my cottage is very small, I am obliged to keep the greater part of 
my plants in the room I live in ; and, consequently, as my health renders 
it necessary to keep my rooms very warm, the plants have more heat 
than they require, and a very dry air. The first difficulty, that of the 
plants having too much heat, I have tried to overcome by keeping them 
in a deep bay window as far from the fire as possible, and frequently 
placing a screen between them and the rest of the room ; and to prevent 
any ill effects arising to them from the dryness of the air, I water them 
twice a day, never suffering the water, however, to stand in the saucers. 
Still my plants did not thrive, till at last the idea occurred to me that their 
sickly appearance was owing to the pores of their leaves being choked up 
with the dust of the room, and I determined to try the effect of washing 
the leaves every day. The result has been quite satisfactory ; and I find 
my plants thrive, though now I do not wash their leaves oftener than once 
or twice a week. To perform the operation as easily as possible, I have 
had a tin pan made with a division in it to hold the water, while the pot 
containing the plant is placed in the other part. I then have the tin pan 
placed on a low table, near the sofa on which I sit, and I wash the leaves 
thoroughly with a sponge. I use plenty of water, which falls down and 
