HOUSE PLANTS 143 



begonia, carnation, chrysanthemum, coleus, rose, and fuchsia. 

 Cuttings of the wandering Jew and of some geraniums may 

 be successfully started in water, and then transplanted after 

 the roots have formed. 



Leaf cuttings. The rex begonia may be propagated by 

 means of leaf cuttings. The leaf is cut into triangular pieces, 

 each containing a bit of the leaf stalk. The tip is inserted 

 into the sand, as with soft-wood cuttings, and the same care 

 is given. 



SCHOOL PROJECT 3 



Purpose. To raise cuttings to take home. 



Materials. Window box, sand, piece of glass, cuttings of 

 various house plants. 



Directions, i. Secure a window box and fill it two thirds 

 full of clean sand. Obtain cuttings of the plants you desire 

 to raise. Plant these cuttings and care for them, following the 

 directions already given in the text. Members of the class 

 should take turns in caring for the plants. 



2. When they are ready for transplanting, members of the 

 class are invited to bring flowerpots from home. The cuttings 

 are transplanted from the window box into the flowerpots, which 

 are then taken home by the pupils. 



Bulbs for indoor blooming. Flowers may be easily ob- 

 tained in the winter by planting bulbs in the fall. Roots 

 are formed in some cool, dark place and the plants are then 

 brought into the house, and by means of warmth and water- 

 ing they are forced to bloom earlier than they would have 

 done if left outdoors until the warmth of spring started their 

 growth. 



Outfit needed. Ordinary flowerpots may be used for hold- 

 ing the bulbs, or a shallow, wooden box with holes for drainage 

 may be made. In the bottom of the pot there should be 

 placed a flat stone or piece of broken pot over the hole, and 

 on this a few more pieces of coarse material to allow good 



