WINDOW GARDENING <25 



amateur must also study the characteristics of his plants, for one temperature 

 will not answer for all. The Rose needs a cool atmosphere, yet moderately rnoist. 

 The Fuschia is fond of both warmth and moisture, but needs occasional shading 

 when the sun is too hot. The Coleus prefers plenty of heat and moisture, and 

 would be satisfied never to have the thermometer go below 70 by night or day. 

 The Geranium seems to accommodate itself to all circumstances, being the most 

 easily grown of all window plants, and apparently needs only plenty of light and 

 air, and average warmth. 



Plants at night. 



Plants need rest. Uniform darkness at night with lower temperature, is one 

 of the conditions of treatment, but sometimes there may be a sudden change 

 of temperature in the outer air, and in consequence thereof some one or more 

 plants of the window garden may be frozen. Do not throw them away, but 

 cut the branches back as far as frozen, or near to the soil, then water slightly 

 and do not let the plant get quite as warm as before ; if it has any life it will soon 

 show buds and branches. Plants should be treated very much like human 

 beings; a frosted finger should be warmed gradually, so should a frozen plant. 

 Some plants if frosted, like Fuschias, will sprout from the roots and make a 

 strong growth ; others will send out strong, healthy flowering branches from the 

 stem near the roots. A very simple plan to restore frosted plants is to transfer 

 them at once to a dark cellar and shower them plentifully with water; keep 

 them here two or three weeks and they will gradually recover their health again. 



Another point is often discussed, whether plants are injurious inrooms at night. 

 We think it unwise to have too many in a room ; a few here and there are of little 

 influence. Strong scented plants are injurious to have in the room at night. The 

 Tuberose, Hyacinth and Jessamine, &c., are too sweet to be allowed to remain in 

 a bedroom at night, and should not be patronized for this purpose by invalids. 

 The sensations of the individual are often a good guide. After sleeping in a, room 

 with plants, the'morning finds the sleeper inactive, feeling as if his night's rest 

 had Jaeen heavy, the air of the room also does not seem pure, and the perfume 

 peculiar. All the indications are sufficient to show the air is vitiated, and fresh 

 air is needed as much by the individual as the plant. 



Fresh Air. 



Ventilation is absolutely necessary ; therefore give it. Whenever the weather is 

 mild open the window. Too little fresh air and too much warmth are formidable 

 obstacles to success in house gardening. Plants that are kept shut up in warm 

 rooms become very sensitive and are far more liable to suffer from a sudden fall 

 in the temperature ; but if they are frequently exposed to the fresh air they ar< 

 better able to bear these changes ol climate which often occur &o unexpectedly . 

 Those who live in close heated rooms can never make their flowers bloom in 

 winter with any vigor. Some think that any atmosphere not inconvenient to 

 men and women is good enough for the plant. It will live just as the human 

 being lives, but it does so in sufferance rather, for it will not grow and bloom 



