450 General Notices. 



and trouble. Much has been written on the proper treatment of plants in 

 rooms, and their successful management demands some skill and much at- 

 tention. But, without a greenhouse to rear them in, how is a variety to be 

 obtained at all seasons'! This question we propose to answer, as far, at 

 least, as the summer months are concerned. We hinted at the matter some 

 months back, but are now better prepared, from actual experiment, to re- 

 commend a reserve bed for window plants in pots. The plan about to be 

 described, has been found so advantageous, that we think many will be 

 pleased to have it in detail, that they may adopt it themselves. 



When a rose tree, or a fuchsia, has shed its bloom in the window, it 

 is generally removed to the garden, and there takes its chance among many 

 other things ; receiving water sometimes, and being scorched up at others. 

 This, at least, has been the fate of my own stock, and, in but few cases, 

 have plants thus treated, flowered well a second time. To provide against 

 the danger of humble things being forgotten, and to secure a further bloom 

 from plants of a perpetual flowering character, such as roses, fuchsias, and 

 scarlet pelargoniums, I have appropriated a piece of ground as a reserved 

 bed. It has a southern aspect, so as to secure for the plants all the sun 

 possible, and is protected from the north winds by a low wall. The soil of 

 the bed is very light, being composed principally of leaf-mould and rotten 

 dung ; this is of no importance to the plants, as they are not to receive any 

 benefit from the surrounding earth, except an equal and regular supply of 

 moisture, but a light soil is more convenient to handle in the frequent re- 

 movals which will be necessary ; it also adheres less to the feet, and the 

 pots, in wet weather. 



When a plant appears to have done blooming, I cut off all decayed flow- 

 ers, and also reduce the branches a little, cutting down a rose, for instance, 

 to a plump bud. I then examine the roots, and if they have become 

 cramped, I loosen them carefully, shake out a little of the exhausted soil, 

 and repot in fresh compost. Having received a good watering, the plants 

 are then buried up to the rim, in the reserve bed, allowing at least a foot 

 distance from other plants, to each of them every way. If they are then 

 covered with the mowings of the grass plot, about an inch deep, they will 

 require no watering, unless the weather should be more than usually dry. 

 Every week they must be looked over, for the purpose of weeding, tying 

 up where required, clearing from green fly, &c. When bloom appears, 

 take them up and remove them to the window, putting in their places other 

 pots, treated as directed above. As roots are apt to protrude through the 

 bottom of the pots, it will be well to turn the plants round occasionally. If 

 this is not done, and the roots lay hold of the subsoil, they must be broken 

 off at removal, and the plants may flag in consequence. 



I believe I have had this summer double the number of plants in bloom, 

 by the adoption of these simple means. My reserve bed is now occupied 

 by pots which will be ready to bring in at a time when flowers become 

 scarce. I shall protect them, when there is any danger of frost, and, by 

 careful watching, some will do well out of doors till November. It is too 

 late for the method to be tried now, to any great extent ; but roses and 



