WINDOW GARDENING. 39 



Of course with all your fancy for new things, you will not forget to secure 

 some few pots of good old fashioned flowers. They may be dear to many from 

 only childish associations, having proved their value by the many years in which 

 they have been cherished. No true lover despises them. 



The culture in the spring months diflers but little from that of the winter ; 

 more air can be given, and often the windows can be let down from the top for 

 the whole day. Remember that if the thermometer stands at 55'^ and 65° out 

 of doors, and the sun shines brightly, too much fresh air is impossible ; but have 

 the windows closed by three o'clock, for by that time a chilly wind often springs 

 up in April, which would prove injurious to many tender plants, in a rapidly 

 growing condition. Later in the season there is no danger. Great attention 

 must be paid to general cleanliness ; now is the season to promote rapid growth, 

 but if the plants cannot breathe freely, they are in a decidedly consumptive 

 state, and must pine away. To prolong the blooming of plants, every fading 

 flower, even if it is but one in a cluster, should be cut away. 



To keep the flowers of Azaleas from falling, it is an excellent plan to drop a 

 single drop of gum water underneath the flower, where it sinks into the calyx ; 

 now is the time for their most profuse bloom, and they can be made more orna- 

 mental by this process. 



No flowers should be left with water standing in their saucers, but if the 

 plants are sunk in boxes or moss, there is no need of using saucers, which are 

 hard to keep clean. 



Be sure and attend to the weekly washing ; it is quite as essential to your plants 

 as to your household cleanliness. 



A small sized brush such as painters use, will be found of great service as it 

 will wash off the tiniest leaf and stem. 



Water must be given plentifully during the spring months, and it is well to 

 supply it till a few drops ooze out from the bottom of the pot ; but don't water 

 while the sun shines full upon the plants. 



Rain water is always the best for all vegetation. We especially recommend 

 warm water in icold latitudes, as it cannot help but prove more invigorating to the 

 roots. The sun does not shine every day ; often it is withdrawn for a week, but 

 if the soil is warmed with the water, it will not check the growth of the plants 

 as much. This rule does not apply so closely to conservatories ; there the plant 

 can be sprinkled as though they were growing in the open ground, and warm 

 water is not so much of a necessity in a greenhouse, where the whole tempera- 

 ture is adapted to the needs of plant-life. But this is not the case in window 

 gardens, and we think its use the greatest benefit to them. Eaily in April, or in 

 the later days of March, the plants that were stored in the cellar for safe keeping 

 should be brought to the light ; the decayed leaves and dust must be carefully 

 brushed away and picked off, and the plant repotted, ready to start forth afresh. 

 The more hardy plants, like Roses, Geraniums, Pansies, etc., etc., can be put 

 out of doors on warm days to enjoy an hour or so of fresh air and sunshine, at 

 noontime ; or if a warm rain falls, all the plants can go out and drink in fresh 



