20 THE HOME FLORIST. 



unfavorable to plant life. These latter conditions have their marked influence on growth it is 

 true, but, then, the adaptability of plants is so varied, that at least several varieties may be 

 employed, which will thrive under any circumstances, that are likely to exist in our dwellings. 

 In "Open-Air Floriculture" are given directions for preparing plants for winter flowering. 



The Winter Quarters. Next to a conservatory, built expressly for plants, a bay 

 window, off from the living room, and from which it will receive sufficient warmth, is the best 

 place for cultivating plants in winter, although a window facing east, south or west, answers the 

 purpose very well, and should we even be less fortunate and have only windows with northern 

 exposure, where the sun in winter never strikes in, there is no need of being entirely deprived of 

 the beauty of plants and flowers, because the Ivies, Begonias, Euonymus, Callas, Tradescanthias, 

 Lobelias, Achryanthes, Centaureas, etc., and, perhaps, most important of all, the entire list of 

 Hardy Bulbs, for fl6wers, all of which readily dispense with direct sunlight, will thrive beauti- 

 fully here, provided the conditions of heat, air, moisture, etc., are correct. But these are 

 essential to plant growth under any other circumstances as well. 



Temperature, Selection of Suitable Plants, Protection, etc. The 

 amateur, who, for the first time perhaps, might desire to engage in the cultivation of plants in 

 winter, would naturally be anxious to know, What plants can best be grown in my house? 

 The answer to this question is easily arrived at by each of us, provided the temperature which 

 can be maintained for the plants is known, and also the temperature in which the various plants 

 suited to winter culture will best thrive. Recall to your mind the lowest temperature of 

 previous seasons, as indicated by the thermometer, or if you were without this almost indis- 

 pensable instrument, recollect whether it ever fell to 32 the freezing point and allow this 

 knowledge to be your guide on the one hand, while for guidance in reference to making 

 selections suited to your temperature, observe the figures and degrees in parenthesis following 

 the names of the varieties described throughout this work as suitable for window culture. These 

 figures indicate the extremes of temperature, both high and low, that each plant will bear, and 

 also the degree most congenial to its growth, as a night temperature. To render this more clear, 

 let us take as an instance the Abutilons, described on the 34th page. The descriptions and 

 cultural directions of this family are preceded by (33, 45, 85), which indicates that these plants 

 will bear a temperature of 33 as one extreme and 85 as the other, for some time without 

 injury, while 45 is best suited to the plant as a night temperature ; ten to twenty-five degrees 

 above this is to be considered nearest right for their growth in the daytime. 



The various varieties of the Ivy family possess so many desirable qualities as house plants, 

 and will thrive under such widely varying conditions, that they are recommendable to all 

 cultivators as a class with which failure to cultivate successfully is scarcely possible. 



It should be understood in this connection that plants can be safely kept through several 

 additional degrees of cold than indicated by t\\e first figure (lowest extreme) by protection, and 

 it is safe to calculate somewhat on this for the few excessively severe nights of each winter, by 

 giving the more tender ones especial attention at such times. Simply pinning several thick- 

 nesses of newspaper over a plant, as shown in the annexed cut, 

 would protect it sufficiently for remaining a number of hours in a 

 temperature from five to ten degrees lower than it would otherwise 

 bear. Ordinarily where danger is apprehended from leaving 

 plants next to the window, during severe nights, they can be 

 moved to the middle or further side of the room, which is sure 

 to be several degrees warmer. By setting them close together 

 it is easy to protect the lot by spreading newspapers on them 

 and throwing a blanket over all. To correct too high a tempera- 

 ture admit air from the outside. 



General Directions for Indoor Plant Manage- 

 ment* Airing. As often as the weather, from its mildness, will 

 allow of introducing air among the plants, from the outside, it 

 should be done, but be careful to avoid a strong, direct draft of 

 wind upon them. Cold, fresh air striking on Roses may bring on 

 mildew. Maintain a temperature as nearly uniform as possible, 

 endeavoring to keep it at a degree best suited \o the majority of 

 the plants in the collection, being guided in this respect by the 

 figures in parenthesis throughout the descriptions. 

 Fig. 22. Protection. Moisture and Watering. One difficulty amateurs have to con- 



tend with in growing plants in the living room especially if heated with anthracite coal stoves 

 and I'anges is dryness of the atmosphere. This can in a measure be obviated by nailing a narrow 

 strip of board on the front and back edges of the plant-stand shelves, or false bottom of the 

 window sill, and filling up with three-fourths of an inch of sand, upon which the pots are to be 

 placed; keep the sand quite wet. The moisture escaping is what counteracts the dryness of the 

 air. It will improve appearances to cover the surface between the pots with moss. Sprinkle 

 the foliage of plants occasionally, and whenever the surface of the earth shows signs of dryness, 

 water so that the soil be saturated and no more. Too much water passing through impoverishes 

 the soil in a short time, besides doing the plant no good. As a rule, never allow water to stand 

 in the saucers as it tends to sour the earth. 



