HINTS AND 



excellent plants by saving up the odds and 

 ends that can be procured about the home- 

 grounds. Rake up the grass-clippings from 

 the lawn, and dump them into a corner. iVdd 

 to them bits of sward, grass and all. Pour 

 the soapsuds of washing-day over them, and 

 stir them thoroughly with the iron-toothed 

 rake, from time to time. Add good loam to 

 the heap, whenever you happen to find any. 

 Rake up the leaves in fall, and work them into 

 the mixture. Frequent stirrings will be neces- 

 sary to make the compost alike throughout. 

 It will take some months to make good, use- 

 able soil of it, but the time will come when 

 you will find it just the thing needed by your 

 plants. It gives one a feeling of satisfaction to 

 know that she has a generous supply of good 

 potting-soil in reserve, against times of need. 

 ***** 



Never allow seed to develop on the plants in 

 the window. Cut off all flowers as they fade, 

 and throw the strength of the plant into the 

 production of other flowers, rather than waste 

 it in perfecting seed for which you have no use. 

 ***** 



Keep all dead and dying leaves picked off 

 your plants. Burn them as gathered. If this 



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