304 Window Greenhouses. 



Under certain conditions, much may be gained in the 

 growth of plants by judicious application of liquid manure. 

 It should only be given to those in robust health. If applied 

 to sickly subjects it hastens their decay. Great caution is 

 necessary in using stimulants ; and those that cannot manage 

 plants well, otherwise, will probably gain nothing from their 

 use. Clean, diluted manure water may be advantageously 

 used, during the growing season, to large plants that have 

 filled their allotted space with roots, and cannot be conve- 

 niently removed. The blooming season is also lengthened, 

 and the development of seed enhanced, by its use. 



In reading articles on the cultivation of plants, we fre- 

 quently notice the recommendation of gradually diminishing 

 the quantity of Avater at certain seasons. This is apt to 

 mislead, inasmuch as we have observed a mere sprinkling on 

 the surface is considered sufficient in such cases. Every 

 time a plant is watered, it should receive enough to allow a 

 surplus escape from the bottom of the pot. If a plant is to 

 be gradually dried off, let the applications be less frequent. 

 It only deceives the eye to keep sprinkling on the surface, 

 and no plant will long survive such treatment. 



June, 1852. 



(To be continued.) 



Art. V. Window Greenhouses. From Turner's Florist. 



Nothing can be a greater source of pleasure to the real 

 lover of flowers, especially if a resident of the city, than a 

 well-cultivated and healthy collection of window plants. 

 They wear away the long and dreary winter of our northern 

 clime, and serve to beguile many a passing hour between the 

 close of autumn and the dawn of spring, 



Cowper, in The Task, thus happily describes the love of 

 window flowers : 



" They serve him with a hjnt 

 That nature lives ; that sight refreshing green 

 Is still the livery she delights to wear, 

 Though sickly samples of the exuberant whole." 



