“To Ethel I will give this lovely genista.  It is the finest of all yellow-flowered winter plants.  As the blossoms fade they should be taken off.  Since this is a good winter flower, it should be allowed to rest in the summer.

“The azalea is for Dee.  It needs the same care as Ethel’s plant.  These need not be thrown away next spring.  But put them in a shady spot laid on their sides.

“Helena’s plant is a palm called the Cocos Weddelliana, and Katharine’s is a fern, the holly fern.

“I wish to tell you a bit about ferns and palms.

“In most school buildings and homes these two kinds of plants hold chief place.  This doubtless is because they, too, stand lack of attention.  Most people keep them water-logged because supposedly they are accustomed to and need lots of water.  We must keep in mind that while ferns for instance are found outdoors in very damp spots, they are not in places undrained and choked off from air.  So the jardiniere half full of water does not quite represent the real environment of the fern.

“Going on with the fern there are a few points to hold in mind.  Do not permit the room temperature to fall below 55 degrees.  Neither should it rise above 70 degrees.  Direct sunlight injures the delicate fronds of ferns.  A north window where there is light without direct sunshine is the right fern place.  Keep the leaves clean by spraying with clear water on bright days.  If bugs appear, spray weekly with tobacco water.  This solution should be very weak.

“The best varieties to grow are the sword, Boston, holly, and maidenhair.  Use spider ferns for a fern dish.

“Palms require great quantities of water, even temperatures, little direct sunlight, and daily sponging of the leaves.  A sponge dampened in clean water is the best thing to use for this purpose.  The most popular and easiest-to-grow palms are the following:  Cocos Weddelliana, date palm, kentia, and the arcea.”

“Will you tell us about the watering of plants?” asked Ethel.

“Surely, although I can say but little since it depends largely upon good judgment.  Water a plant when it needs it.  Keep the soil moist but not soaked.  If plants are beginning to decay or a mould is coming on the surface of the soil, the trouble usually is over watering.  At such a time let the soil of the pot or box dry out.  Then water carefully after that.  If the pot is always damp or has become green you may know that the trouble is either too much water or poor drainage.”

“What pests are likely to attack our plants?” questioned Elizabeth.

“Lice and scale troubles are the chief pests of the house plants.  You all know plant lice.  Use kerosene emulsion for these.  The scale appears as a scaly mass, usually on the stems of plants.  These scales are living animal forms.  The best way to get rid of them is to wipe them off with a rag soaked in kerosene emulsion.”