WINDOW GARDENING. 113 



The Ivy requires rich soil in which to grow, and must have strong food. 

 " Of right choice food are its meals, I ween." 

 You must therefore select for it the best soil which your garden can afford ; add 

 to it one-half each of well-decayed manure and leaf mould rubbed together ; 

 then set the pan of compost in the oven and bake it, if you wish to kill all larvae 

 of worms and white ants. 



Plant the roots in large, well-drained pots, with an inch or two of bits of char- 

 coal at the bottom, and as the roots increase transfer them to larger-sized pots or 

 buckets. The Ivy will grow in wood vessels as well as pottery, and pails or 

 buckets painted green can be made to do duty for the pots. 



Should the roots appear to be too thicklj' crowded in too small a pot, run a 

 knife around the edge of the soil and turn over the ball of earth. If this is so, 

 cut off a few of the outer ones, and then repot in rich soil in a little larger 

 vessel. 



The Ivy seems to be the least sensitive to changes of light of any plant we 

 have; neither does it require much heat, thus being e.xceedingly well adapted to 

 situations in halls or balconies, or rooms not very well heated. Figure 14 shows 

 how it may be of great service in decorating a hall, the brackets holding the pots 

 being fastened to the side of the wall, and the ivy permitted to climb up both 

 wall and porch. 



If planted in pots and trained to stakes, they can be readily moved from one 

 window to another, or from one room to another ; it is much the most con- 

 venient method to have the Ivy in some portable form. 



Like all other plants, however, it must have a uniform temperature, and though 

 it will bear a little chilling without much injury, yet it should be kept where 

 there is some degree of warmth. 



It dehghts in considerable moisture, and if neglected or permitted to dry up, 

 its luxuriance soon suffers ; hence, a saucer or pan should be kept full of water, 

 ready at any time for its use. 



During the spring and summer months the pots of Ivy are often carried to the 

 outer air, and placed on the balcony or under a tree in the lawn or garden. Here 

 they might be neglected ; so we again repeat our caution: do not forget the 

 water. 



When brought into the house the leaves should be carefully washed with soap- 

 suds and water; all unsightly branches and torn leaves removed. 



Ivies for the house should be brought in before November, or even before it is 

 time to build the fire. Place first in a cool room, and then bring gradually into 

 the warmer room. 



When placed where they are to stand, the vines should be gracefully ananged, 

 and secured by small strings to the wood- work, or to the curtain by bits of green 

 worsted braid. The green creeping foliage is a fine contrast to the whiteness of 

 the delicate lace curtain. 



Vines can be grown by immersing the stems in small vials of water, and fast- 

 ening them to the backs of picture frames they are desired to ornament. With 



