The care of flowering bulbs, which was begun in Form I, will be continued in Form II. The growing of new plants from cuttings will now be taken up. In those schools which are kept continuously heated, potted plants may be kept throughout the year. The pupils will come to appreciate the plants' needs and learn how to meet them in the supply of good soil, water, and sunlight. The following points should be observed:
1. Good potting soil can be made by building up alternating layers of sods and stable manure and allowing this compost to stand until thoroughly rotted. A little sharp sand mixed with this forms an excellent soil for most house plants.
2. Thorough watering twice a week is better than adding a little water every day.
3. The leaves should be showered with water once a week to free them from dust.
4. An ounce of whale-oil soap dissolved in a quart of water may be used to destroy plant-lice. Common soap-suds may also be used for this purpose, but care should be taken to rinse the plants in clean water after using a soap wash.
5. Most plants need some direct sunlight every day if possible, although most of the ferns grow without it.
6. Plants usually need re-potting once a year. Many kinds may be set out-of-doors in flower beds in May and left until September, when they may be taken up and placed in pots, or cuttings may be made from them for potting.
7. A flower exhibition at the school once or twice a year, or at a local exhibition, adds to the interest.
8. The pupils should report to the teacher, from time to time, the progress of their plants and make many drawings showing their development.