368 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



gwano in ten gallons of water, letting it stand twentj-four hours before using. 

 Api-iy once a week. Ladies keeping canaries, and emptying the bath water 

 on these plants, will find it act liki- magic on their growth. 



Th'- crimson passion-flower is the most showy of all its class, and very 

 effective among other plants. It must be placed in a large pot of rich compost, 

 which should be sunk to the rim in an open border early in summer. It will 

 grow ten feet the same reason, and bloom profusely })y the first of autumn. It 

 is, however, more properly a green-house than a parlor plant, and must be re- 

 turned to shelter befor<' the frosts set in. 



Although it may seem out of place to mention shrubs in an article on house 

 plar^ts, 1 must be allowed to express my admiration of the double Japan spirea — 

 the leaves are so fine, and the sculptured, massive appearance of the snowy, 

 rose-shaped flower so uuiqxie. The plant is hardy, and may be rapidly in- 

 creased by layering the young, fresh stems early in summer. They will mostly 

 take root the same season, if the soil is kept moist. 



A love of house plants is so common to female human nature that there are but 

 few excf-ptions to the general rule. It is singular what little success attends the 

 endeavors of most people in this direction. "Some fail," says the Country 

 Gentleman, "for want of skill and experience, but more from want of a place to 

 keep plants in." One great difiiculty in the way of success is the dryness and 

 high temperature of stove rooms. Plants require a moist atmosphere and a 

 temperature too low for the comfort of human beings. Eooms occupied by the 

 family will not generally answer ; for ordinary house plants, therefore, an 

 apartment should be selected which is exposed to the rays of the sun a part of 

 the day, and without a fire, yet so situated as to receive heat from some source 

 when necessary. The temperature should never get below 40°, but be kept as 

 near 50° as possible. Care should be taken at this season not to overwater the 

 plants. Many persons keep the roots soaked all the time. There is less dan- 

 ger in their being too dry than too wet. No definite rules can be laid down as 

 to the frequency of watering or the quantity to be given ; but the soil should 

 not be allowed to get so dry as to cause the plants to wilt, nor kept so wet as 

 to have the roots constantly soaked. In sunny weather daily wateiings may 

 be given ; in dull, cloudy weather perhaps once a week will be sufiicieiit. 



Plants that are in a state of rest absorb very little moisture, and, therefore, 

 should be very scantily supplied Avith water, while those that are in action are 

 constantly absorbing and throwing off moisture, and should have sufficient 

 water to supply the demand. Frequent syringing of the whole foliage is of 

 service ; but when this cannot be done conveniently, the washing of the leaves 

 with a sponge Avill be found beneficial. 



When plants are taken up out of the border preparatory to being potted, it 

 is necessary they should be well cut back, or, in plain words, the shoots should 

 be shortened. If this is not done, the plants will have long and spindling 

 shoots instead of vigorous young growth. 



First in beauty as a house-plant stands the Camellia japonica, which gene- 

 rally begins to bloom in January. These magnificent floral treasures would 

 not be so rare among amateur gardeners were it not supposed they were so 

 difficult of cultivation. This is a mistake. The writer has never known them 

 to bloom more luxuriantly, with such profuseness, and, withal, so free from 

 stain or blemish on the waxen beauty of the flower as in an ordinary parlor 

 window. This Avindow had an eastern exposure ; a common wood-stove was 

 the only means of warming the room, and the precaution of a newspaper at the 

 window at night all the extra care ; yet these gorgeous blossoms, varying in 

 hue from pearly white to deep carmine amidst the abundance of glossy green 

 leaves, drew the attrition of every passer-by. 



. This plant is retiring in its habits, and as fond of shade as the violet, a 

 moderate coolness during its period of rest being absolutely necessary to health. 



