House Plants. 107 



of bright, cheerful colors, their free and continuous flowering habit and 

 their ease of culture under varying conditions. Do not pot up Geraniums 

 more than one size at a time, for they will not bloom until root bound, 

 i)esides there is danger of overwatering, and rotting the roots when in 

 larger pots than the roots can quickly fill. Many new varieties of 

 Geraniums are disseminated every year and a few of them prove to be 

 meritorious. 



Ivy Geraniums have proven very useful for filling hanging 

 baskets. 



Pelargoniums, commonly called Martha Washingtons, when in full 

 bloom are the most showy of all geraniums, but their flowering period 

 is only during spring and early summer. The small flowering Pelar- 

 goniums, known as Pansy Geraniums, come into bloom earlier, last 

 later, and bloom much, freer than the large flowering sorts. These 

 plants delight in a cool, dry air and are, therefore, especially well 

 adapted for the window. 



Cella tubers should be potted about September 1 in very rich soil. 

 After they begin to grow, they will stand all the water you can give 

 them. A large pot and a warm sunny window suit them. During July 

 and August let them dry up completely, then knock off the old dirt 

 before repotting. 



Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissus, Easter Lilies, etc., should be obtained 

 and planted as soon as on the market, for they deteriorate with long 

 exposure. Easter Lilies want 6-inch pots. The others may be planted 

 one or two in a 4-inch pot, or from three to six in a 5 or 6-inch pot, or 

 bulb pan, and set them in a cool cellar, or better still, in the garden. 

 Water thoroughly and cover with three inches of soil. If the weather 

 is warm, put on a little straw to keep the sun from starting the buds 

 before the roots are formed. Later, add mulch as needed, to keep the 

 pots from freezing and bursting. Easter Lilies and Paper White 

 Narcissus should be brought in in November, or as soon as the leaves 

 begin to come through tne soil, because they will not bear freezing. 

 The Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissus Von Sion are more hardy and may 

 be brought in at intervals during the winter for succession. They will 

 bloom in from three to five weeks after coming in, the time depending 

 on the heat of the room and the lateness of the winter. This seems a 

 tedious process, but the beautiful and fragrant flowers produced by 

 these bulbs will repay you for your work, if work you can call it, to 

 care for these charming little home companions. It is rather recreation 

 than work. 



