Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-11

application of water. AS most decorative
plants will be used at some distance from
the window for days at a time, evaporation
Will be slow, and it is a mistake to give
more water while the soil remains moist.
Wait until the surface appears dry, and
then give enough to thoroughly saturate all
the soil in the pot.
Some persons have the idea that plants
used for the decoration of hall or parlor can
be placed in a corner or some other place
some distance from good light and left
there Indefinitely without injury. This is
not the case. These plants, to remain in
health, must be kept near the window as
much as possible. They do not require di-
rect sunshine, but they need the beneficial
effects of strong light. If one has half
dozen plants, they can be used alternately
some doing decorative duty, while others
are In the window-hospita1 to recuperate
Care of Plants.
Palms are often injured by insects 1t is
therefore necessary that they be watched
carefully, and that precautions should he
taken against the advance and intrench-
ment Of the infantry. An ounce of preven-
ton Is worth a pound of cure In this case
Aim to keep the pests from getting Il foot
hold. You can do this by using a solution
OF hr-tree Oil soap. 1t is good plan to
have long-handled brfstle brush with
winch to apply the solution to such parts
of the plants as are difficult to get at 9th
erWise. Work 1t down among the axis of
the leaves, and scrub the base of the plant
well, using force enough to dislodge any of
the insects which may have congregated
there. This is where the mealy-bug will
establish himself if not interfereI with
and 1t is quite necessary that he should be
given to understand that his presence will
not be tolerated on your plants if you ex-
pect to keep them in good condition Be
cause he looks like a little bit of cotton
down he often escapes detection But be
not deceived by his DISCUSSES. AS soon as
you see bits OF white here and there be-
tween the leaf and the main stalks be sure
mat the mealy-bug has come and be
prompt TO let him know that he is expected
10 go, and to stay away. Sometimes scales
attack the palm. Those who have never
seen this enemy to plant life will not be
llkeiy to suspect its presence for some
tlme, because it is so small and unobtru-
slVe. But very soon the appearance of the
plant Will go to show that there is trouble
or some sort somewhere. and Investigation
Will show small fiat brown particles, re-
sembllng fsh-scale more than anything
else, adhering to the leaves generally
ABOUT the BIZ Sc of the plant. Scrape one of
these off with stick and you will find
that beneath the scale or shell there is a
I'VE creature which is sucking the life from
the plant. The lest remedy for this most
dangerous enemy to the welfare of the
PAIN Is the same fir-tree oil application adj
Vised for fighting the mealy-bug Apply it
vain the bristle brush, and do it with suffi-
cient force to remove the insect Do not he
satisfied so long as a scale is to be seen. If
PAINS or other plants are neglected until
they become covered with insects 1t will be
next to impossible to get them perfectly
ciean and free from the pests, and the vi
tally of the plants will soon be lowered he
yond the safety point by their ravages and
a state of il-health results which soon
makes the plants worthless for ornamental
purposes. ON this account l would lay par
| tlcuIar stress on the Importance of keeping
the plants free from their insect enemies,
Always act on the offensive. Take IL for
| n n "a = be sy-.
low them to, and give them to understand
by your anticipatory manegvers, that they
| will not be tolerated. If this is dore YOUR
collection can be kept clean at all times,