THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 183 



creased the aggregate of milk in so much that he counted his apples worth 

 more for home use as cattle food than the price given for cider apples, — ten 

 cents per bushel. 0. A\ . Gr< 



HOUSE PLANTS. 



A arrowing taste for flowers and rural embellishments is a marked feature of 

 our times, and there arc few things better calculated to attach us to our homes 

 than the love and culture of flowers. Besides its tendency in this direction it is 

 highly conducive to intellectual and moral culture. Of all modes of enlivening 

 and beautifying our rooms there is perhaps none so pleasing as by the use of 

 plants and flowers judiciously arranged. It is true they cannot be as well grown 

 in our rooms as in a properly constructed greenhouse, still there are some kinds 

 that can be grown and made to blossom in our rooms in a very satisfactory 

 manner. Success in Avindow gardening, however, can only be acquired through 

 close observation and experience. The greatest difficulty in the way is the dry- 

 ness of the air in rooms heated by ordinary methods. This evil may be partly 

 overcome by having a suitable table. The table should be made the length of 

 the window from two to three feet wide and perfectly tight, so as to prevent 

 leakage, nail a strip three inches wide around the edge and fill with two inches 

 of sand, the vapor from which will have an excellent effect, in partially neu- 

 tralizing the dry air of the room. In fact, this keeping the air moist is one of 

 the secrets of successful window culture. Kooms much occupied by the family 

 are not the best for these plants. A room without a stove, furnace, or register, 

 and exposed to the sun's rays, but situated so as to receive heat from the 

 adjoining rooms when necessary, should be selected if possible. The best 

 aspect for growing plants during the winter and spring months is due south. 

 For the summer months east is preferable. Care should be taken not to over- 

 water during early winter ; there is much less danger of being too dry than too 

 wet. INo definite rule can be laid down as to watering ; it will be safe, however, to* 

 give water (and be sure it is warm) when you see the surface dry, and be sure 

 that you give enough to wet the soil thoroughly. The temperature of the room 

 should be about 45° at night, rising to 60° or 66° during the day. Plants should 

 have all the sun possible the first half of the winter, turning them frequently 

 to keep them in shape, but in February the mid-day sun will be found too- 

 strong for some kinds, and they should be shaded or set away from the window.. 

 For others an abundance of sunlight is necessary if we would have a vigorous 

 plant, luxuriant foliage, and well developed flowers. The importance of keeping 

 the foliage of plants clean cannot be over-estimated, for leaves absorbing moisture 

 from the atmosphere, and again parting with it, also inhaling and exhaling air, 

 are among the more important organs of the plant. The pores of the leaves 

 are very small and liable to become closed by dust, consequently they should be 

 frequently cleaned with a sponge, so as to prevent all obstruction to healthy 

 action. Plants are in their most vigorous condition at the time of flowering, 

 and should not then be repotted. All plants have naturally a certain season of 

 rest. Ascertain the period peculiar to those you cultivate, and repot only at 

 such time. The time of flowering is, however, the best in which to take cut- 



