480 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



down on to the floor, as tobacco smoke is 

 very injurious to the tender foliage of 

 Spiraeas. The last batch of freesia bulbs 

 should be potted ; if kept later, small and 

 inferior flowers are generally the result. 

 How few of the tuberous rooted tropaeolums 

 are seen in g^reenhouses. They make an 

 ideal and unique plant for amateurs. 

 Tropaeolum tricolorum is about the best 

 variety, T. jarratti coming next in point of 

 value. Light, fairly rich soil, with plenty 

 of drainage, in a good sized pot and a moist 

 atmosphere suits these pretty little green- 

 house climbing plants admirably. A light 

 wire frame or a small plant ladder about 2 ft. 

 high, made of slats of thin wood, will make 

 a suitable support for these delicate little 

 climbers. The bulbs must be kept quite 

 dry during summer, after the flowering 

 period is over and the foliage shows signs 

 of decay. Close ventilators in the green- 

 house early in the day if ventilation is given 

 at all. 



Window Plants. — Watering the plants 

 and keeping them free of insects will be the 

 principal features in the care of window 

 plants. The leaves of Ficus elastica (India 

 rubber) plants, and even the older leaves 

 of Calla lilies and similar plants, will benefit 

 by a sponging with clean tepid water once 

 a week. Water of a temperature of about 

 50° is best both for watering at the roots 

 as well as for applying to the foliage of 

 plants. Keep as moist an atmosphere as 

 possible prevailing in the room where the 

 plants are. A steaming kettle, or open 

 pot of water, will benefit the plants, and 

 not jeopardize the health of the inmates of 

 the house. Water the plants at the roots 

 thoroughly, but only when needed. The 

 latter very essential point in the care of 

 plants can only be learned by close observa- 

 tion and experience — two of the best tutors 

 for plant growers. Experience is some- 

 times costly, but its lessons are generally of 

 an effective and lasting nature. 



Flower Garden. — Finish preparing the 



beds and borders ready for an early start 

 in spring. 



Spring flowering bulbs should be planted 

 out at once if not already done. A good 

 mulch of half-rotten strawy manure should 

 be placed over the ground where bulbs are 

 planted. This mulch need not be applied 

 until frosts set in for good. 



Protect all tender plants as required. 

 Avoid handling or tramping on plants when 

 they are in a frozen condition. 



Fruit and Vegetable Garden. — There 

 will be little to do in the fruit and vegetable 

 garden now, except to finish up any arrears 

 of work, such as digging, etc., and securing 

 any late crops that are not as yet properly 

 stored for winter. Additional covering for 

 vegetables in pits will probably be needed. 

 Avoid putting on too much covering, as the 

 exclusion of air altogether, and the heat 

 caused by over-covering vegetables, often 

 cause a greater quantity to spoil and rot 

 than if left comparatively open and un- 

 protected. Cover up spinach that is to 

 stand out all winter, with the trimmings of 

 the raspberry patch. Fine brushwood, 

 young suckers cut from fruit trees, or the 

 coarse trimmings from border plants, such 

 as perennial phlox, zinnias, etc., make a 

 splendid winter protection for spinach. 

 Manure or any close heavy material should 

 not be used for covering spinach in winter, 

 as it is certain to rot if covered up too 

 closely. 



Take up a few roots of parsley, cut off all 

 the large outside leaves, and plant the roots 

 thickly in soil in a large pot or deep box. 

 Place the pot or box in the window or 

 greenhouse and keep the roots well watered. 

 Rows or beds of parsley left outside during 

 winter should be protected as recommended 

 for border plants. 



Asparagus beds should have a good 

 coating of well rotted manure for a winter 

 covering. 



HORTUS. 



Hamilton. 



