FLORICULTURE. 377 



Fresh air must be given as frequently as possible, at the same time, 

 avoiding cold drafts. This can generally be done safely in the middle of 

 the day (except in the very coldest weather), by setting the three doors 

 slightly ajar. 



Great care must be taken in potting the plants that the drainage is 

 very good. 



It is better to under than over water, as in the damp atmosphere evapo- 

 ration takes place very slowly. If at any time, by reason of cold or 

 absence, the pit has remained shut up long, the plants must be examined 

 for any appearance of mould on stem or leaf, for if left untouched it will 

 spread rapidly. 



It should be opened to the light and sun a few hours at least, every 

 day if the weather will permit. 



If the sun seems to wilt or burn the plants, a light shade of some kind 

 must be put over the glass. 



If the temperature is too high, the doors must be opened. 



It was not a part of the original plan to make any use of the pit in the 

 summer, but a hail storm early in the season, followed by hard dry winds 

 and the prospect of a scarcity of water, caused us to delay and, at last, give 

 up bedding, out a great many plants that were intended for the yard. So 

 the pit remaineii well filled all summer, and the plants grew and blos- 

 somed in a wonderful way. It was such a comfort when the sun 

 was burning up, the fierce winds whipping in pieces, or the hail cut- 

 ting down the plants out-doors, to turn to those in the pit and 

 gaze on their quiet beauty unruffled by the passing breeze, and look- 

 ing as fresh and dainty as though there was no such thing as a burn- 

 ing sun or drying winds. As the sun rose higher and grew hotter, we 

 expected to have to whitewash the windows, but, finally, substituted a 

 covering of cotton cloth during the middle of the day, as this could easily 

 be removed at any time and the view through the window seemed too 

 fine to lose — for the bright tints of the coleus, fancy geraniums and other 

 foliage plants were blended so harmoniously with those of the flowers 

 as to make a most exquisite bit of coloring. Nor were we alone in our 

 enjoyment of this; people came from miles around to see and to go away 

 with their hands filled with flowers and plants to brighten, in many in- 

 stances, homes that were very barren in every way. To fully enjoy flowers 

 one must have chance to give them with unstinted hand. 



In closing, I cannot refrain from repeating a unique compliment paid to 

 the pit by a young Norwegian, who had made various pretexts during the 

 the summer to stop on his way to church for the real purpose, as I well 

 knew, of wearing away one of our choicest buttonhole bouquets. One day, 

 another j^oung man was with him, and I overheard him saying to him, 

 as they were looking down through the windows, "When you go down 

 into the pit. you will just think you are in heaven." 



PLANTS FOR EASTER FLOWERING. 



E. NAGBL, MINNEAPOLIS. 



As Easter is a day that flowers are used more than any other day in the 

 year, and the decorations in churches and large stores seem to grow more 

 popular every year, it is to our interest that we should find out what kind 



