238 STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



HOUSE PLANTS. 



FLOWERS IN FARM HOUSES. 



Ifc is simply a low, vulgar taste, or relic of barbarism that excludes the flower 

 garden from too many country homes, and we are further compelled to say 

 that in a majority of instances it is the men of the family, and not the women, 

 who are the barbarians. Go where we will in the United States, the flower pot 

 in the window, the vine over the door or porch, the little bed of sweet williams 

 or humble verbena in the front yard are almost infallible signs that there is 

 a woman about, with taste and love for the beautiful in nature; and, although 

 circumstances may not be favorable for developing her ideas in such matters, 

 still the taste and desire are there, and she is a better woman for entertaining 

 them. — New York Sun. 



A NEW WAY TO DECORATE WINDOWS. 



The following is from the correspondence of an English journal: 



''Some years ago, as I was passing through a room only used occasionally, I 

 perceived an odor of fresh flowers that surprised me, as none were ever kept 

 there; but, being in haste, it soon passed from my mind. Not long after, 

 being in the room, I noticed the same perfume again, and this time I proceeded 

 to investigate the matter. On raising the curtain of the east window 1 found 

 that a branch of Dutch honeysuckle had found its way between the two sashes 

 at one corner while growing in the summer, and had extended itself quite across 

 the window; and on the branch inside were three or four clusters of well 

 developed flowers, with the usual accompaniment of leaves, while on the main 

 bush outside there was not yet a leaf to be seen. The flowers inside were just 

 as beautiful and fragrant as if they had waited until the natural time of 

 blooming. Since then I have tried the experiment purposely,* and always with 

 the same result." 



James Vick in commenting upon the above says : 



A heavy covering of the ground over the roots of the plants with leaves, and 

 sufiicient protection of the stem outside would allow this method to be practiced 

 in quite severe climates. Besides honeysuckles, other woody climbers might be 

 employed, such as the English ivy, clematis, and jasmine. Proper apertures 

 could also be provided for the admission of the plants into the room. 



PRIMKOSES. 



James Vick names the Chinese primrose as one of the two flowering plants 

 that produce the greatest number of flowers in winter, and he gives as tlie reason 

 "why it is not more generally cultivated that it requires several mouths to bring 

 a plant to perfection from the seed. It should be sown at any time from 

 February until the first of June, and if done at intervals the plants will bloom 

 in succession. The best soil is made of fine loam and half as much leaf -mould. 



