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Classic
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page 443
WINDOW GARDENING.--All the varieties of English ivy, the hoyacarnosa, the
passion flower, the jasmine, the pilogyne suavis, and begonias are especially
suitable for window culture. Very pretty effects may be produced at the cost of
a few cents, by planting verbenas, morning-glories, cobea scandens, and the
maurandias in baskets or flower-pots, which may be concealed behind statuary or
bronzes. The best fertilizer for them or any other house plants is that afforded
by the tea-pot; the cold tea-grounds usually thrown away, if poured as a
libation to these household fairies, will produce a miracle of beauty and
perfume.
SURE SHOT FOR ROSE SLUGS. --Make a tea of tobacco-stems and a soap-suds of
whale-oil or carbolic soap, mix, and apply to the bush with a sprinkler, turning
the bush so as to wet the under as well as the upper part of the leaves; apply
before the sun is up three or four times.
ANOTHER.--About the first of June, small worms make their appearance on the rose
bushes, and in a very few days eat every leaf on them; to destroy these pests
take four gallons water, add one table-spoon paris green, stir thoroughly, and
apply to the bushes with a garden syringe or watering-pot, early in the morning;
keep the water well stirred or shaken while applying, or the last in the pot
will be too strong and kill the leaves of the bushes.--Mr. C. Phellis, Sr.
TO PREPARE AUTUMN LEAVES AND FERNS.--Immediately after gathering, take a
moderately warm iron, smear it well with white wax, rub over each surface of the
leaf once, apply more wax for each leaf; this process causes leaves to roll
about as when hanging on the tree. If pressed more they become brittle and
remain perfectly flat. Maple and oak are among the most desirable, and may be
gathered any time after the severe frosts; but the sumac and ivy must be secured
as soon after the first slight frost, as they become tinted, or the leaflets
will fall from the stem. Ferns may be selected any time during the season. A
large book must be used in gathering them, as they will be spoiled for pressing
if carried in the hand. A weight should be placed on them until they are
perfectly dry; then, excepting the most delicate ones, it will be well to press
them like the leaves, as they are liable to curl when placed in a warm
atmosphere; these will form beautiful combinations with the sumac and ivy.
TO PREPARE SKELETON LEAVES. --When properly prepared, skeleton leaves form a
companion to the scrap-book or collection of pressed ferns, fronds, etc. This is
a tedious operation, and requires skill and great patience to obtain
satisfactory results. Some leaves are easier to dissect and make better
specimens than others, and as a rule a hard, thin leaf should be chosen; that
is, when a special variety is not required. Among those which are skeletonized,
most successfully, are the English ivy, box elder, willow, grape, pear, rose,
etc. They should be gathered during the month of June, or as soon as the leaf is
fully developed. The leaves should be immersed in a vessel of rain-water, and
allowed to remain till decomposed; when this takes place, press the leaf between
pieces of soft flannel, and the film will adhere to the flannel, leaving a
perfect net-work; dry off gradually, and clean the specimen with a soft
hair-pencil, place between folds of soft blotting-paper, and when perfectly dry,
place in your collection.
To bleach the leaves, dissolve one-half pound chloride of lime into three pints
of rain-water, strain, and use one part of solution to one of water. For ferns,
use the solution full strength. When perfectly white remove to clear water, let
stand for several hours, changing water two or three times, float out on aper,
and press between blotting-paper in books.
In mounting, use
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