248 



The IIoHknUurml and Journal 



give them up as not worth the room they occu- 

 pied. 



"I've tried everything but this," Aunt 

 Ruth went on, still hohling the kettle, with 

 the spout resting on the sitting-room stove. 

 "I've let them get as dry as ashes in the win- 

 ter, never putting on a di-op of water from fall 

 to spring ; I've changed and changed them to 

 smaller pots, till I'm tired of it, and not a 

 flower have I had for my pains ; I'll try this 

 last thing, and if that don't do — ." She fin- 

 ished the sentence by taking the tea-kettle to 

 the window and pouring the smoking contents 

 in the pots. A neighbor had been in an hour 

 before, and said she. knew of a cactus that 

 flowered immediately after being treated in 

 this way. Let the earth get perfectly dry, 

 then pour on boiling water, and the plants will 

 throw out buds in a few days. 



We watched our scalded friends, to see them 

 wilt down, but we were disappointed in our 

 expectations. After a good many days we 

 discovered — what do you think ? Little red 

 dots all over the Snake Cactus, and round 

 buds occasionally scattered over the leaves of 

 the other. And now — . Well, I have only 

 one more thing to say: You should see the 

 glory with which our little shelf is filled I — 

 F. A. B., in Rural New Yorker. 



Suggestions to Amateur 

 Florists. 



THERE are many who are investing in 

 plants who have had little or no experience, 

 and to such a few hints may not come amiss. 



1. Plants taken from the warm, moist air 

 of a propagating house should be wrapt in 

 thin, soft paper, left open at the top, until 

 they have become acclimated to the change. 

 The leaves should be sprinkled on the under 

 and upper side with a wisp broom, studiously 

 avoiding cold draughts of air. By a little 

 painstaking you will be richly repaid, as this 

 process will prevent the foliage from turning 

 yellow and falling off, and preserving the 

 fresh, thrifty appearance of your plants. 



2. The best time for watering plants is to- 

 wards evening, as in the summer time the 

 evaporation is not so rapid during the night ; 



whereas, if watered only in the morning, they 

 so soon dry off that they do not get the full 

 benefit of the evaporation process which sup- 

 plies the place of dew, and they will look more 

 fresh and vigorous. 



3. The idea entertained by almost every 

 amateur flower grower that a large amount of 

 earth is required for the health and vigor of 

 the plant, is very erroneous, and is called by 

 experienced florists over-potting, and is laden 

 many times with serious results to plant life ; 

 for the soil in pots, boxes, tubs, etc., does not 

 have the action of the elements to neutralize 

 the acid or equalize the chemical compounds 

 that are used up or generated to excess when 

 thus confined, as the soil often becomes sour 

 and sodden, and necessitates the speedy re- 

 moval of the plant into fresh soil, to prevent 

 decay of the roots. Soil best adapted to nearly 

 every plant grown in pots, is good sandy loam. 

 Grood garden soil that has been enriched until 

 it is soft and mellow, will answer every pur- 

 pose ; but if neither of these can be obtained, 

 procure leaf mould from the woods, swamp 

 muck and sand, equal parts, thoroughly mixed, 

 and this will make a most desirable compost. 

 The addition of a small quantity of wood ashes 

 or lime will destroy and prevent worms. 



4. In rejiotting, care should be taken not 

 to injure the roots. To prevent this, set the 

 pot into a pan of water until the ball of earth 

 around the roots is saturated ; then place the 

 hand over the top of the pot, turn bottom up- 

 wards, rap the rim of the pot on the bench or 

 stand, and the whole will fall out. Have 

 ready another pot, one or two sizes larger, and 

 turn into it the plant, supplying sufiicient soil 

 to fill up again, carefully shaking so that the 

 roots next to the sides of the pot will be sup- 

 plied. This process only needs repeating from 

 once to twice a year ; but if you want flowei-s, 

 you must keep your plants root-bound in a 



i measure. This your judgment must decide. 



5. Plants kept in a sitting room where fre- 

 quent sweeping has to be done, should be cov- 

 ered until the dust has settled, as dust upon 

 the foliage injures the plant by retarding its 

 growth and bloom, as leaves are to plant life 

 what lungs are to animal life. 



