THE PLANT WINDOW IN WINTER. 73 



To succeed in having early winter bloom we must pot plants early 

 in the fall and, also, order bulbs early — starting freesias first, early 

 in September. Crocusses, if we have them, should be»started in 

 August, but hyacinths, narcissus and daffodils should be potted in 

 October for early winter blooming. Verbenas or petunias, also, 

 give effective flowers, and heliotropes are both sweet and beautiful. 

 To these may be added lilies, cacti and palms, if one has room for 

 them. 



With such provision for our window, it is a delightful pleasure in 

 winter to make frequent visits to our flowers when everything with- 

 out is cold and cheerless, and if the sun shines it only serves to 

 heighten their beauty; so, in either case they give us joy. 



It is always a place where our friends love to linger, and they 

 afford a subject for a large amount of innocent conversation. " How 

 do your plants prosper?" is a frequent question asked of one plant 

 lover by another, and mothers seemingly take as much interest in 

 their flowers as in their children — possibly, because their children 

 are interested in them themselves, and they notice the happy effect 

 flowers have upon their young, developing natures. Children learn 

 to love plants by being brought up with them, and in after years 

 they will make their own homes glorious with them. 



Then how many festive and funeral occasions have been blessed 

 with their blooms; how many sick-beds cheered and letters weighted 

 with them have reached many a relative or friend to speak in a 

 way which words cannot express the thoughts and feelings of the, 

 absent. 



Then, beautiful indeed is our winter garden, and worthy is it to 

 make it beautiful, for it brings to us more than it costs. It is a 

 happy reminder of the power of cheerfulness in the midst of gloom 

 that hopeful attitude toward life, hopeful even of the return of what 

 we have lost. A beautiful little poem of Mrs Ella Higginson gives 

 the same thought: 



WHEN THE BIRDS GO NORTH AGAIN. 



Oh.'every year hath its winter, 



And every year hath its rain, 

 But a day is always coming. 



When the birds go north again; 



When new leaves swell in the forest, 



And grass springs green on the plain. 

 And the alder's veins turn crimson, 



And the birds go north again. 



Oh, every heart hath its sorrow. 



And every heart hath its pain. 

 But a day is always coming. 



When the birds go north again. 



'Tis the sweetest thing to remember, 



If courage be on the wane; 

 When the cold, dark days are over. 



Why the birds go north again. 



