WINDOW GARDENING. 37 



injure them greatly, especially the Coleus, and all sub tropical plants unused 

 to our cold autumn winds. 



They can be placed on a protected piazza, and covered at night with some mats 

 or sheets, but the true lover of house plants does not feel at ease until all her pets 

 are standing in their winter quarters ; then the cold chilly winds may blow, and 

 Jack Frost's icy fingers pinch with blackening touches all that they can reach; 

 the household flowers are safe beyond his dreaded touch. 



Do not crowd your plant stands or windows, give to each plant room to stretch 

 forth its branches and leaves, if you would have it bloom in vigor and beauty ; 

 untidy straggling plants are always detestable. 



Every dead leaf must be removed and every fading flower, and the leaf must 

 not remain in the pots, but be taken away; cleanliness is so important that no 

 damp leaves or decaying flowers should be left. Window plants suffer chiefly in 

 the winter months from indiscriminate waterings, allowing them to go dry for 

 two or three days and then soaking them for a week. 



Many a lady cannot imagine why her plants do not grow and bloom as luxuriantly 

 as at her opposite neighbor's. But it is the lack of daily atttention that makes the 

 difference. One lady buys her plants because it is the fashion to have them in the 

 windows; the other loves her plants as a part of herself, sees in them an individu- 

 ality ; a glimpse perhaps of something beautiful beyond this world's plain reali- 

 ties, and it is not a care for her to attend to their necessities, but rather a privi- 

 lege. 



In the winter time the familiar question is asked over and over again: " How am 

 I to know when my plants need watering?" Watch them carefully, and they 

 will tell you ; wilted leaves, drooping branches, and yellow shades show that 

 they are water-clogged ; they must be allowed a respite. 



Turn up the soil as heretofore directed, with a stout hair pin, and if it is dry 

 give more water ; if not, abstain from it. 



Success in window gardening depends greatly in never permitting the plants 

 to suffer from any neglect. 



When you water, give it copiously, and if the next day the plants have 

 enough pass them by ; but there are always some in a window or a stand of 

 plants that desire it, so carry round the watering pot every day, take the time 

 either before or after breakfast, have a special hour, and never forget it. There 

 is more danger of giving too much water during the winter, than in the spring 

 and summer, because the evaporation is much less. 



In winter there should be no water left in the saucers ; with the exception of 

 aquatics they require it. 



A small toy watering pot such as are sold for children's use, is of the greatest 

 assistance ; it will sprinkle the surface of tiny pots without wetting either stands 

 or window glass. 



A piece of oilcloth is an excellent protection to carpets, and should always be 

 placed under every window and plant stand. 



It is best to select a cloudy day for giving your plants a thorough cleaning, 



