HINTS ON WINDOW GARDENING. 



371 



1st. Never to water but when the plants 

 actually want it. That is easily known by 

 feeling the soil with the finger. While it 

 is moist, no water is needed. When it 

 feels dry, then water ; which latter will not 

 be oftener than three times a week in au- 

 tumn an<d winter, and every day in spring 

 and summer, — giving it copiously every 

 time, and allowing it to run away entirely 

 from the plant, so that the pots may never 

 stand in it. The water used should be 

 either ram or river water. If necessarily 

 from the pump or spring, it ought to stand 

 in the air a day or two before using. 



2d. To give plenty .of air at every possi- 

 ble opportunity, when the vieatker is miM, 

 either fey having tfee window up, or by 

 removing the plants outside- If, in warm 

 weather, this is done under a burning sun, 

 the pots will ha^e to be shaded, as the su« 

 upon the sides of pots would prove injuri- 

 ous to the young roots, and would greatly 

 injure the plant ; and if in bloom and ex- 

 posed to the SUE, the flovw^ers \vould soon 

 fade an-d drop. 



3d. To keep the roouis where the plants 

 are of as uniform a temperature as possible, 

 and the plants themselves as near th-e win- 

 dow as convenient, except in severe wea- 

 ther, when they are better near the middle 

 of the room during the night. 



4th. To examine them occasionally, to 

 see if the pots are full of roots. If this is 

 the case, and the plants are worth it, to get 

 some good soil,* and shift them into pots a 

 size larger; or, if not shifted, to be more 

 careful in supplying water, as they will re- 

 quire more when in this state. In sum- 

 mer, to water them frequently over the 

 foliage, but not except they also need it at 

 the root as well. 



* At another time, (if you think the subiect worth notice,) 

 'i will say a little about the proper soil, and the culture of a 

 few plants best adapted for the window. [We shall be glad 

 ;«>'ieceive further remarks on this subject. Eo.j 



These may be adopted as very general 

 rules, though more absolutely necessary to 

 some plants than others, but very good to 

 all. 



There is a good deal to be considered in 

 buying plants, in making the proper choice ; 

 for however gratifying it may be to have 

 those which look best in full bloom, it is 

 most satisfactory to have those which last 

 longest in perfection, — especially those 

 which have a succession of bloom, and 

 whos£ foliage is interesting when ike bloom 

 is go7ie.. This rule may be deviated from 

 in behalf of Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinths, and 

 other bulbs which are valuable, when little 

 else is in flower. These will also bloom in 

 the darkest streets of our cities. They 

 ought to be purchased either in the begin- 

 ning of November, when the roots are dry 

 for planting yourselves, or in pots, when 

 they are beginning to grow ; for if delayed 

 till they are in bloom, nine-tenths of their 

 value is lost, because they are interesting 

 in every stage of their growth, from the 

 first formation of the leaves to the perfec- 

 tion of the flower. Every day of develop- 

 ment has its charm, and therefore they 

 ought to be possessed from the first. All 

 these require a plentiful supply of water 

 when in a growing state ; and if kept cool 

 after slioxving flower, their season of bloom- 

 ing is prolonged. Eob't Scott. 



Philadeljiliia, Dectiiii/er 15, 1848. 



[We may add to the excellent remarks 

 of Mr. Scott, (who is foreman in the exotic 

 establishment of Mr. Buist,) that a princi- 

 pal cause of the sudden decline in the 

 health of young and tender plants, taken 

 from the green-houses of the florist to the 

 private parlor, is the great atmospheric 

 change. In the green-house they have 

 been, all their previous lives, accustomed 

 to an atmosphere exceedingly damp ; and 



