FOR LOVERS OF FLOWERS. 



479 



The Care of House Plants 



E. MEPSTED, OTTAWA, 



HOUSE plants are almost a necessity. 

 They are decorative ; they are 

 pretty and they are cheering in the long 

 winter months. What equals the pleasure 

 of the whole family when father brings up 

 a pretty plant, however inexpensive it may 

 be? However, to have them thrive in the 

 rooms in winter they need lots of attention. 



There are quite a few drawbacks to con- 

 . tend with. Among the worst is coal gas 

 from the stove or the smallest escape 

 from illuminating gas. This is very fatal 

 to plant life. Then to many plants the dry 

 air in the room is very hard ; not only does 

 the plant lose the moisture natural to it, but 

 its greatest enemy, the red spider, flourishes 

 on it. Electric hght and furnaces have, 

 however, done away with coal gas to a great 

 extent, and we must do our best to help in 

 the matter of moisture. So we must sponge 

 many of our plants at least once a week. 



The palms, especially Auracarias and Bos- 

 ton ferns, can hardly be sponged, but they 

 can have a good rinse. This cleans the leaf, 

 wards off insects, and gives them a little 

 taste of that moisture they love. 



Begonias and some others do not like 

 water on their leaf, neither does the red 

 spider, so early attack them. The most 

 particular thing in house culture is the 

 watering. So many people think they are do- 

 ing their duty if they give their plants a lit- 

 tle water every day. This is altogether wrong. 



When you find your plants dry they 

 need water. This can be easily learned 

 by tapping the pot wnth the knuckles 

 and getting a ringing sound for dry- 

 ness and a dead sound when it is wet 

 enough, or by rubbing the soil on the top of 

 the pot with the finger ; if it feels moist and 

 sticks to the finger it is wet enough, but if 



*Extract from a paper read recently before the 

 Ottawa Horticultural Society. Societies are invited 

 to send The Horticulturist copies of the papers read 

 at their meetings. 



it feels dry and slightly dirty, it wants water. 

 Water it well, and be sure the water has 

 gone through the pot. By half watering, 

 that is not giving enough water to go to 

 the bottom, the roots are drawn to the top 

 for a drink instead of going down, where 

 they will get both food and drink. Never 

 let plants stand in water either in saucers or 

 jardinieres, as it will in most instances be 

 fatal to your plants. 



Potting Plants for Winter 



IF possible procure new pots. Plants 

 will do much better in them. Soak 

 the pots in water a short time before' putting 

 the plants in them, as considerable moisture 

 is absorbed by new pots. If sufficient water 

 is not given the plants immediately after 

 potting they often suffer at that period for 

 lack of moisture. 



When o4d pots are used, wash them thor- 

 oughly inside and out before potting the 

 plants. See a small hole is made in the bot- 

 tom of each pot before putting the plant in. 

 A layer of small stones, bits of broken china, 

 etc., in the bottom of the pot will ensure 

 good drainage, which is most essential. A 

 small bit of charcoal in the bottom of the pot 

 is also an excellent thing. 



In repotting, many plants you will find to 

 have but few roots ; these require a portion 

 of the ball removed — place them in smaller 

 pots, encourage them to make new roots, 

 and in a short time you will have fine healthy 

 tops. After they have been given proper 

 drainage, put in a little soil (care being 

 taken to have the plant a little below the sur- 

 face of the pot, sufficient to allow for water- 

 ing) ; place the plant in the centre of the pot 

 with one hand and with the other heap up 

 the soil loosely in the pot ; give the pot a 

 sharp rap, pressing the soil with the thumb 

 firmly around the plant. In potting large 

 plants, a flat stick must be used to firm the 

 soil around the plant, otherwise it will not 

 be packed as firmly around the edges as is 

 essential for sfood results. 



