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HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 333 
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HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
FRED WINDMILLER, MANKATO. 
In this, my first report to the society, I have not fully complied 
with the requirements—the greenhouse department I have omitted 
altogether. Iam not yet able to give important information in this 
branch; also, new plants are not represented, as I did almost no ex- 
perimenting last season. Assuming that most members are inter- 
ested in house plants, I have made this the sole topic, giving hints 
on culture, reasons for failure, best kinds and unworthy stock, as far 
as has come under my experience. 
Perhaps nothing else occupied the attention of amateurs more 
last year than better places for growing plants. We have now plenty 
of material to select from, excellent varieties, but all is of no avail if 
our quarters are unsuitable. Everywhere we hear the same remark: 
“Tf I only had a place for plants.” 
Much has been said and written, and now I submit my ideas, based 
on observation and experience. Few can build a greenhouse (and 
without hot-water heat most fail, even if they have it), while the 
window sillis no good. Itis the bay window that needs improve- 
ment to fill our want. Large bay windows are everywhere and with 
small expense might be made a home for flowers. First, such a 
window should be built out as much as possible, to give light from 
three sides. Then, the inside walls must be finished in wood, paint- 
ed, and without curtains or other troublesome material. Next, the 
floor space is to be done with zinc, perfectly water tight, with all the 
sills and shelves shedding water into this zinc basin. The whole 
window is then best shut off from the room by a glass partition with 
sliding windows, which may be opened at will to admit heat in cold 
_ weather. 
Where city water is available, the next step is easy. Have a con- 
nection made, fitted with a short hose anda spray nozzle. If water 
works are not there, bolt a little force pump to the wall and proceed 
as above. On every sunny morning,it is an easy matter to thor- 
oughly clean the plants. You can get the water under the leaves 
and above, also in every corner. The red spider is an impossibility 
there, and the green fly will not stay-if the water pressure is good 
4 enough. In such a place, roses and carnations can be grown almost 
to perfection, as moisture is easily supplied. Would it not be lovely 
to see bay windows gay with carnations? The key to success is this 
spraying. I have at this writing carnations in boxes within three 
feet of a hardwood box-stove, constantly exposed to direct radiation, 
which often means 80° of dry heat. Yet all are perfectly healthy and 
full of flowers, but, of course, they are sprayed daily. Nearly all 
plants would flourish in such a window, besides it would improve 
; the air in the room. 
More plants should be grown in boxes. These are better than pots 
or cans, are cheap and easily watered. A very pleasing effect is a 
window box properly arranged. The most successful amateurs use 
boxes freely both inside and out-doors. New pots should be soaked 
in water before using, and saucers must never be allowed full of 
