228 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[January 9. 
no occasion to test this absorbing power to its utmost 
limit; the moss on the surface not only checks evapor¬ 
ation of moisture and radiation of heat from the soil, 
but if itself kept moist on the surface—which is neces¬ 
sary to keep it nice and green—that moisture will rise 
in vapour about the stem and leaves, and so far coun¬ 
teract the debilitating tendency of the dry air; and 
the last, hut not the least effectual remedy in such cir¬ 
cumstances is, frequently sponging or clamping the foliage 
with water through a very fine rose, because then the dry 
air is obliged to he content, for a time at least, to absorb 
the moisture you have given to the outside, instead of 
j drawing it from the inside of the leaves. This moisture 
instead of being prejudicial, will rather be beneficial to 
the inmates of the room—as a very dry air is not good 
for men, any more than it is for plants. I have been 
more particular here, because attention to these matters 
will render casualties from other sources less likely: for ; 
instance, 
Secondly. As respects watering. The rule is—give : 
enough to moisten the earth thoroughly as far as roots ! 
are to be found, and then wait quietly until your 
services are again required; and, but especially in j 
winter, use soft water a little warmer than the atmo- 
sphere of the room. Inattention to this ruins hosts of 
plants. The pots will stand in saucers, if the pots are 
single; the water that passes into the saucers should 
not be allowed to remain any time. If the pots or vases 
be double, the water may stand in the saucer, provided 
it is not so high as to reach the base of the inner one j 
in which the plant grows. If the plant had its lower j 
roots in water, a grossness of habit would be encouraged, j 
and disease would follow, as the result of every accident 
and change. When the soil has become so dry as to 
allow the w r ater to escape by the sides of the pot, instead 
of making an exception in the case of such a plant and 
filling the saucer with water, so as to allow the soil to be 
moistened by capillary attraction, which is all very well 
for proficients, I would sooner dislodge the difficulty 
by setting the pot at once in a pail of water, and when 
thoroughly soaked allow the pot to drain, before re¬ 
placing it in the saucer. Now, by attention to the 
means first specified, watering will be comparatively 
seldom necessary, and, therefore, there will be less excuse 
for entrusting it to unskilful or unwilling hands. Then 
the same holds good as respects, 
Thirdly. Temperature. —The same rules apply here as 
we saw a few weeks ago applied to the ventilation of 
plant houses. Warmth without fresh air is as debi¬ 
litating to plants as to animals. In the case of people 
in comfortable circumstances, in general, in winter their 
sitting rooms are too hot and dry, even for their own 
health—and hence the colds, &c., the result of the 
slightest change. Plants in these circumstances are 
often far too hot, in proportion to the light they can 
receive—and hence they become lanky and diseased. If 
kept close to the window during the day, there is less 
danger, because there the temperature will be consider¬ 
ably lower than it is by the scats at the chimney corner. 
It is when light is gone, and the shutters and curtains 
are fixed and drawn, aud the doors kept closed during 
the evening, that the greatest care is necessary to keep 
them in a cool position. A few cheap thermometers 
would soon enable our friends to perceive the varieties 
of temperature in the same room. Now, whether during 
the day or during the evening, the sprinkling of the 
foliage will be a good antidote to a hot dry atmosphere. 
It will be necessary that the leaves be dry before retiring 
for the night,—as after the fire is put out the temperature 
will decline. The best position for room plants at night, 
in severe weather, has several times been referred to. 
J The centre of the room, or against a party-wall at the 
j greatest distance from the door or window, will be best; 
and in extreme cases, after the fire has been some time 
extinguished, the register of the stove might be stopped, ! 
to prevent the escape, too quickly, of the heated air. 
Fourthly. Cleanliness. —Respiring, perspiring, absorb¬ 
ing, decomposing, and assimilating processes are carried 
on in the leaves aud green parts of the stems of plants. 
Rut these things can only be done when the leaves aro 
clean. Hence the importance of a cover of cloth when ! 
the room receives its morning cleaning. But with all j 
this attention, wherever there are pattering little feet, [ 
there will always be dust to encrust the foliage. What 
more delightful than to get the owners of these little 
feet to sponge and sprinkle the foliage which they had 
helped to encrust! What a zest might easily be given 
for this exercise of their tiny hands. Early impressions 
are the most lasting. Children must be active How 
desirable to lead that activity into channels that would 
promote a love of the useful, the beautiful, and kindly 
in sympathy. 
We say uotliing now of draining, the state of the soil, 
the potting, &e., because these have frequently been 
referred to. Where all these are right, attention to the 
matters above noticed will ensure bushy, healthy plants, 
involving just more cares, and therefore more honour, if 
successful, than if the plants had grown in the green¬ 
house. I may here be asked, “ if these double pots— 
upon which you place so much reliance, especially if the 
outer one is really, or merely a cheap imitation, of Cliina— 
constitute your beau ideal of window gardening?” By 
no means, I would banish the common red pot alto¬ 
gether from the windows of those who made any pre¬ 
tensions to refined taste, and whose means allowed them 
that gratification. Amateurs here must take no lesson 
from gardeners. Whatever some of us may think, there i 
are reasons why we are obliged to be slow coaches on j 
the road of improvement. I would not banish neat 
little vases for setting single pots with plants in flower, 
because variety even in size is compatible with, nay, 
necessary to, a united harmony of object. But for the 
principal part of the plants I would have shallow wide 
vases, or baskets of all sizes and patterns, made of 
cement, porcelain, wood, willows, zinc, tin, or galvanized 
iron, so that they be light and elegant —so formed, or so 
lined, that all the water from drainage should trickle to 
one point, aud thence be discharged into a vessel con¬ 
cealed by the pediment on which the vase or basket 
stands, and which could easily be emptied at pleasure. \ 
In these vases, &c., I would plunge the pots in moss, 
aud cover with the prettiest and longest, which is to be , 
obtained in damp places in woods. By this method : 
the plants would be easier kept in health, the labour 
would be abridged, aud saucers be dispensed with ; 
whilst the massive effect would be far more interesting j 
than that produced by rows of plants growing singly in 
pots. The pots need not be so large for this purpose, as i 
the roots may extend a little among the decaying moss 
with advantage; even little creepers, such as Liuaria, 
Lobelia gracilis, and the smaller creeping Verbenas may 
be introduced with advantage, and thus a more finished 
and artistic effect produced. There might not easily be 
room found for them in pots, but that is not necessary ; 
they may be grown several together in a small pot, then 
wrapped in moss, and just inserted where they can have 
a supply of water. Those who are particularly anxious 
might strew a little leaf-mould and charcoal amongst the 
moss in which they were plunged; but they will flourish j 
luxuriantly among the moss alone. A little care, how¬ 
ever, must he exercised, not to disturb the roots greatly 
when removing pots and replacing with fresh ones. 
I intended saying something of the plants to be grown, 
but I find I must postpone this to another opportunity. 
R. Fish. 
