72 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE PLANT WINDOW IN WINTER. 



MRS. O. C. GREGG, LYXD. 



When September frosts remind us that summer is bidding- us 

 good-bye and winter is approaching with quick steps to greet ue, 

 we feel as we do when saying good-bye to a bright and cheery friend 

 andturning to meet the courtesies of an unwelcome guest or actual 

 enemy. Still, years have taught us that winters are not wholly 

 forbidding, and when friends depart and the unwelcome arrives we 

 courageously look the facts in the face and smile in hope of future 

 possibilities. Just so, when the wealth of summer's bloom is pass- 

 ings we gather to our firesides as much of the bright and gay as we 

 can to modify the bleakness of the winter days and make us glad in 

 spite of cheerless surroundings, 



" For never sit we down and saj' 

 There's nothing left but sorrow, 

 We tread the wilderness today 

 The Promised Land tomorrow." 



The plant window in any home is a sign of cheerfulness to those 

 who have prepared it. The plant window is the hope window which 

 looks toward Heaven. It gives a furnishing which can be brought 

 to the house in no other way. Fresh indeed is the green of its 

 leaves and pure indeed the white of its flowers, bright are its roses 

 and glorious its lilies, while a very shout of victory comes from its 

 orchids and palms. One might almost say it is the lingering smile 

 of a departing summer looking forward to a sure resurrection the 

 coming spring. 



But preparation must ever precede enjoyment. Much planning" 

 and work must go before the happy consummation of a plant win- 

 dow in winter is in full bloom. First, we must plan our window, 

 and then adjust our plants to it, or, perhaps, adjust our plants to the 

 w^indow we now have. All this means a good deal, for our plants 

 must be potted early enough to have them presentable before 

 bringing them to the window. After this comes the daily care of 

 watering, watching for insects, with patient waiting through the 

 cold, dreary months of November and December for blossoms, — un- 

 less chrysanthemums and other fall-flowering plants are a part of 

 our collection. 



A winter collection should, however, contain many varieties, so 

 that a continuous bloom may be enjoyed. In summer we are con- 

 tent with a few decorative plants in the house, but for winter's cheer 

 we want all we can make room for. Geraniums are always good 

 stand-bys and for the inexperienced grower, perhaps, the least dis- 

 appointing. To these may be added ivies and other vines, with 

 callas, begonias, the agapanthus, the cyperus and a liberal supplj- 

 of bulbs, for the window is never in its glory until freesias, 

 hyacinths, narcissus, daffodils, jonquils and other bulbs are provi- 

 ded — and that lavishly, for each bloom is a joy and affords more 

 delight than many oaore costly pleasures. 



