84 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Hirsute or hairy leaved plants should not 

 be sponged at all, Rex begonias objecting 

 most decidedly to this proceeding. . Geran- 

 iums, heliotrope, coleus, etc., do not require 

 much, if any,, syringing or dampening of the 

 foliage ; whilst calla lilies, fuchsias, roses, 

 rubber plants, cordylines and other smooth 

 foliage plants delight in a sprinkle or spong- 

 ing with clear water very frequently. Al- 

 ways choose a sunny, warm day for this 

 operation, and at a time when the thermome- 

 ter registers about 65 degrees in the win- 

 dow, or wherever the operation of sponging 

 or syringing is performed. 



Much might be said as to the construction 

 and planning of a suitable window and fit- 

 tings, in which a collection of window plants 

 could be successfully grown, but time will 

 not permit. I feel justified, however, in 

 saying that with the increasing interest 

 shown by our people in the culture and 

 growth of plants and flowers around the 

 home, that architects and home builders 

 might well make this matter of suitable 

 window building a much more prominent 

 feature in their building plans than they 

 have hitherto done. There is no reason 

 why even the smallest villa or cottage could 

 not have a window so constructed that the 

 necessary overhead light and the necessary 

 heat could be obtained, without adding but 

 very little additional expense to the building 

 estimates of the residence. 



Watering Plants. — This is a matter 

 that often troubles the plant grower con- 

 siderably. No set rule can be given to suit 

 all kinds of plants and their conditions, but 

 it is always safe to give any plant that is in 

 good growing condition a good supply of 

 water at the roots whenever the top portion 

 of the soil shows signs of dryness. Giving 

 the plant a small quantity of water at stated 

 times, or at regular intervals, is not the right 

 method to adopt when watering plants. 

 Ascertain first, by closely observing the top 

 of the soil in the pot. whether the plant re- 



quires water or not. If the soil appears 

 dry give sufficient water to thoroughly 

 moisten (not sodden) all the soil in the pot, 

 and do not water the plant again until the 

 soil shows signs of dryness. It may be one 

 day, or it may be a week, or even a longer 

 time before it requires more water, but when 

 water is given the plant see that it gets suffi- 

 cient to well moisten all the soil in the pot. 



Another method of ascertaining whether 

 pot plants require water is to tap slightly the 

 side of the pot with the knuckles. If the 

 pot, when struck, emits a ringing sound, the 

 plant requires water. If, on the contrary, 

 only a dull thud-like sound is given out 

 when the pot is tapped, water had better be 

 withheld from the plant for a short time. 



Over-watering, over-potting, and insuffi- 

 cient drainage are often the main cause of 

 failure in the culture of window plants. 

 Over-potting is a term used when a plant is 

 potted into a pot two or three sizes larger 

 than the plant requires. 



For drainage in pots there is nothing bet- 

 ter than small pieces of broken flower pots. 

 About an inch in depth of broken pot can be 

 usually used for six inch pots and larger 

 sizes, whilst half that quantity can be used 

 for smaller sized pots than four inches. Use 

 small pieces of broken pot for the small pots, 

 half an inch square being a good average, 

 whilst larger pieces should be used for the 

 larger sized pots. Coal cinders or coarse 

 gravel can also be used for drainage, but 

 they are more liable to clog and choke than 

 broken pieces of pot. 



This matter of drainage is one of the most 

 essential points necessary to success with al- 

 most all pot plants, more especially window 

 plants. 



The insect pests that are all too common 

 in house and window plants, have been very 

 ably described to you by Dr. Fletcher, as 

 well as preventives and remedies recom- 

 mended for the attacks of these troublesome 

 and destructive visitors, so that it is not 



