What precautions can be used in foggy weather? Experience shows that a low temperature and a moist atmosphere are most conducive to the well-being of plants indoors. It is not very easy to secure these conditions; glass roofs are a source of dryness in cold weather. The temperature of a roof is lowered by the external air, in consequence of which, the moisture of the hot-house air is precipitated upon the inside of the glass, whence it runs down in the form of “drip.” Drip and dryness, what plants can put up with these? We must guard against them.
The more one reads about and learns the ways of fogs, the more one longs to scotch the snake itself, instead of endeavouring to cure its bites. Why does not the Coal-smoke Abatement Society wake up and try a little harder to do something?
At a meeting of this society at Grosvenor House, presided over by Sir W. B. Richmond, there was a good deal of talk that was well worth listening to. Principal Lodge moved that, “The injury and waste caused by the escape of coal-smoke in cities demand the strict enforcement of the laws existing for its elimination, and the adoption of such further remedies as it is within the present power of science to devise.” Very good, all that, but he went on to say that he thought the continuance of the evil was largely due to the apathy of the public. This resolution was seconded, and carried unanimously. The Apathy of the Public—that means you and me, reader. What can we do to express our feelings?
Sir W. B. Richmond moved another resolution, which was also agreed to. He said the clause of the Public Health Act, 1891, which related to the smoke nuisance, was practically set aside by many authorities entrusted with its execution. “Three strong obstructions to the purity and cleanliness of London air were—apathy, vested interests, and insufficient fines for breaking the law.” An account of this meeting was published in The Garden of December 14th, 1901, where I read it with mingled feelings of anger and amusement, but my conscience did not accuse me of apathy.
LILIES IN LORD ILCHESTER’S JAPANESE GARDEN AT HOLLAND HOUSE, KENSINGTON
CHAPTER X
THE LADY DECORATOR AND THE FLOWER-GIRL
“Pink, primrose, valley-lily, clove-carnation;