28 WINDOW GARDENING 



tissues, grow in the dryest places. The Cacti often supply moisture to the wild 

 cattle of the plains of Mexico ; the animals break through their thorny exteriors 

 with their hoofs, and then eat the moist morsels contained within, which quench 

 their thirst. 



Water, cold from the well or pump, is not suitable for plants, unless of a tern 

 nerature of GO . Rain water is best, for this is supposed to contain some little 

 immonia from the sky. 



The best rule in all cases is to use water warm to the hands. Some florists 

 dvise water no colder than the atmosphere. We believe it generally best to use 

 it warmer. In cool mornings it should be lukewarm, say not under 55. Some 

 cultivators say they have used hot water for sickly plants heated to a tempera- 

 ture from 200 to 250, and have believed this to be the cause of their subse- 

 quent luxuriant growth and production of flowers of the greatest beauty ; but 

 trials like this are not to be encouraged, and warm water of 75 to 150, will do 

 just as well and have far less danger from scalding. Over 150 is neither neces- 

 sary nor safe. A lady is said to have once watered her plants with the tea that re- 

 mained in her pot after the breakfast was finished. Her plants grew in wonder- 

 ful beauty and luxuriance, and she attributes it to the magic effects of the tea; 

 yet she has forgotten it was better due to the warmth of the water than any fan- 

 cied virtue. Some plants demand more water than others. Fuchsias, for instance, 

 while in bloom often require water both morning and evening, and nearly all plants 

 desire more when in flower than at any other time. The supply of water must be 

 regulated according to the demand of the plants. Calla Lilies will absorb water 

 two or three times as quickly as any other plant of the Window Garden. If 

 rainwater cannot be easily obtained and hard water is the only source at hand, 

 add a little soda to it and let it stand for a while; use a small piece, say a small 

 nugget of the size of a pea, to every gallon ; on that pour about a pint of boiling 

 water and then fill it up with cold water. It will be quite warm, and a thorough 

 drenching overhead and in the pots will vastly improve their color and health. A 

 drop or two of hartshorn will also correct hard water somewhat. In watering, never 

 wet merely the surface, but moisten the whole ball of earth in the pot. If the 

 ball should yet be very dry set the whole pot in a pail of warm water till it is 

 soaked through. The morning is the best time of the day for watering. A com- 

 mon hand-brush made of broomcorn dipped into warm water and shaken over the 

 plants will imitate a summer shower, but its tiny drops may spatter against 



the window glass. A toy watering-pot, 

 such as is used for children, is very use- 

 ful for Window Gardening. If oil cloth 

 is laid under the stand it can be used 

 without much if any injury to the car- 

 pet or furniture. Care should be taken 

 that the pots have good drainage, for 

 'then all surplus water will run into the 



Fig. 15. 



