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Classic
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page 442
is essential. Do not allow the foliage of one plant to overshadow another.--Mrs.
Prof. F. Wood.
HINTS ABOUT PLANTS.--Few things are necessary for the successful cultivation of
house plants. A patient, untiring spirit is most important. The other requisites
are plenty of sunlight, fresh air, and water when they need it. It is better to
give a good supply of water when called for by drooping leaves, than to give a
little at a time often. Never leave pots to set in water in saucers except for
the calla lily. To repot, turn plant upside down on the left hand, rap pot
sharply with stick; this will loosen it from the ball of earth; lift it off, and
place the plant in a pot two sizes larger, or in the ground. Do not have the
soil too rich with manure but well mixed, and composed of sod-soil, wild or
leaf-mold, and well-rotted stable manure. Cut plants back pretty closely when
you change them, and they will thrive better afterwards. Water well at first,
then only moisten slightly until they begin to grow. A good rule for watering
plants is once a week in winter if the weather is mild, or when it has moderated
have a gallon watering-can filled with blood-warm water, stir in a tea-spoonful
of aqua ammonia, and as you set the plants in a convenient place (I set mine on
the kitchen floor), pour in pot a plentiful supply of this warm water, and after
this, sprinkle well with warm water without ammonia. In summer two or three
times a week is the rule. Ivies, need large pots, and should be repotted every
year in the summer time.
A good way to start slips is to partly break off the slip, but do not entirely
sever it from the parent stock, leaving it hanging for ten or twelve days; then
remove, and plant in a box of half sand or brick-dust and half leaf-mold, and it
will be well rooted in a week. Do not water too freely, or the slip will rot.
This is better for both slip and plant, as the slip will get nourishment from
plant while healing over, and its removal will not weaken the plant so much.
Hyacinths are very attractive flowers for window-gardening, and at the same time
require very little care or trouble. Get the bulbs in the fall before frost from
any good florist (Vick is my favorite), and keep in a cool place until December,
then plant each one in a four-inch pot with soil one-fourth sand, one-fourth
well-rotted manure, one-fourth garden or sod-soil, and one-fourth broken bits of
moss and leaf-mold; water thoroughly at first, and set in dark closet until the
first of January, then bring to light, and give plenty of water. A very good way
is to set half a dozen or more pots in a large dripping-pan, pour hot (not
boiling) water in the pan, and let set for one hour. After they are done
blooming, let them dry out gradually. They will not bloom the second season as
well as the first.--M. E. C.
IF HOUSE PLANTS--Are watered once a week with water in which are mixed a few
drops of ammonia, they will thrive much better. Sometimes small white worms are
found in the earth; lime-water will kill them. Stir up the soil before pouring
it on to expose as many as possible. For running vines burn beef-bones,
pulverize, and mix with the earth.
TO KEEP PLANTS WITHOUT A FIRE AT NIGHT.--Have made of wood or zinc, a tray about
four inches deep, with a handle on either end, water tight--paint it outside and
in, put in each corner a post as high as the tallest of your plants, and it is
ready for use. Arrange your flower pots in it, and fill between them with
sawdust, this absorbs the moisture falling from the plants when you water them,
and retains the warmth acquired during the day, keeping the temperature of the
roots even. When you retire at night spread over the posts a blanket or shawl,
and there is no danger of freezing. The tray may be placed on a a stand or table
and easily moved about.
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