184 STATE TOPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



tings, as the tendency to root formation is then most active. The dropping of 

 the leaves of a cutting is evidence that it lias formed roots, but if the leaves 

 wither and adhere to the stem it is an indication that it lacks the necessary 

 vigor to perform its natural function of shedding the leaf, and will probably 

 not grow. During winter and spring it will be necessary to look out for 

 insects. Of these, the green fly is the most troublesome, but fortunately is 

 easily managed. Mealy bug, scale and red spider are more difficult to destroy. 

 The best remedy where but few plants are kept will be found in untiring vigi- 

 lance. Sponge the leaves and stems and pick them off constantly, if you would 

 have healthy plants. A good soil for these plants is composed of rotted sods 

 and thoroughly decomposed manure, the proportion being about two of the for- 

 taer and one of the latter. If the loam should be clayey add a little sharp 

 sand. Special soils and fertilizers are unnecessary ; uniformity in moisture and 

 temperature will accomplish the end in view. A pot should never be so filled 

 with soil that it cannot hold enough water to pass through the ball of earth. 

 To accomplish this a vacancy of at least half an inch should be left above the 

 compost. If your plants should unfortunately get touched with frost, sprinkle 

 them with cold water and shade them from the sun till the frost has been 

 thawed out, after which gradually restore them to the light. About the latter 

 end of May plants intended for the house during winter should be placed in 

 the ground up to the rim of the pot. They should be turned two or three times 

 during the summer to prevent their becoming rooted in the ground. 



The following list of plants will be found desirable, being easily managed 

 and least expensive : 



Abutilons, any of these will be found excellent, especially A. BouU de Xeige, 

 a new white one ; A. striatum, which is always in bloom ; azaleas and cam- 

 ellias may be bloomed satisfactorily in a cool room without much fire heat. 

 The Cactus tribe have a cast-iron constitution, defying the aridity of our 

 rooms, they are all summer blossoms, except the Epiphyllum truncatum and 

 its varieties, which are now in all their glory; it luxuriates in an abundance of 

 light, not over-rich soil, and care should be taken not to over-water. Chrysan- 

 themums have few superiors as attractive parlor plants. The Chinese prim- 

 rose is a plant of the easiest culture, the single varieties are most easily man- 

 aged ; seed sown in May will produce large blooming plants by November. Calla 

 (liichardia) is popular, and deservedly so; they should be dried up in summer, 

 and the tubers repotted in August or September; an abundance of light and 

 water are necessary for these. Geraniums, the variegated, scented, and ivy- 

 leaved are desirable, the Zonale varieties being best for flowering in winter; 

 Carnations arc favorites with everybody, being not only fragrant but beautiful; 

 a few of them flower well in winter; they should be planted in the ground in 

 May and not allowed to produce flowers until September; about the latter end 

 of the month they should be taken from the ground and potted ; in a hot room 

 they soon become disfigured by the red spider, consequently a cool room with 

 good light and air are essential. Other fragrant plants are Heliotrope, Mig- 

 nonnette, Orange Jasniinum, Sweet Alyssum, Double stock, and Tea Roses. 

 The last after blooming in the ground all summer may be potted in Septem- 

 ber, and if carefully lifted thev will trivc an abundance of bloom in the early 

 part of winter, providing the plants arc two or three years old at the time of 

 planting. Fuschias are among the most beautiful of house plants; there arc 

 but few varieties adapted for flowering in winter. The best arc F. speciosa, 

 F. scr rat (folia, and F. hanca marginata. Hyacinths are valuable for window 



