78 



WINDOW GARDENING. 



If there is danger of frost, and it is feared that the heating arrangements are 

 not sufficient, turn all the heat of the furnace into the conservatory. Yet there 

 is on the other hand considerable trouble from having too much heat or light in 

 the evening, especially if the conservatory is entered immediately from the draw- 

 ing room. 



Houses that are warmed by water pipes, branches of which are allowed to run 

 through the conservatory, not only keep up a more steady heat, but afford con- 

 siderable moisture to the atmosphere, and are of decided advantage. 



Every Autumn, apply a coat of paint, not only to render it fresh and clear, but 

 to fill up all hiding places for insects, and clear them out if perchance they have 

 obtained possession, and in September early, put the pots and plants in theij 

 proper places. It is not desirable that they should remain out later than that. 



Fig. 66. Kip. 67. Fig. 68. Fig. 69. 



For hanging pots up against the side of the house or wall, the floreteen is a con- 

 venient little utensil, constructed of adouble iron hoop, bent in the middle at an 

 angle of 90 and reversible. Cost is very trifling and made by any blacksmith. 



When filling your house with plants, clean the pots well, and turn out the balls 

 of earth to see that the roots have sufficient room, and are in a healthy state. 



It is well, also, to scrape away the surface soil, and supply fresh compost. 



Give your plants plenty of room, not crowding too thickly, allowing free circu- 

 lation of the air, for then it is easier to keep them perfectly clean and healthy. 



Heliotropes, V r erbenas, Geraniums, and indeed all herbaceous plants should be 

 placed as near the glass as possible, as they require much sunlight, while varie- 

 gated leaved plants Mignionette, Camellias, Primulas, <fcc., will not flourish luxuri- 

 antly, if the hot sun shines on them at noon day. 



Fig. 70 is a design of a small home conservatory attached to the side of a vil- 

 lage residence and entered from the parlor. Us length is about eighteen feet and 

 width twelve to fifteen, affording all necessary room for a good home plant con- 

 servatory. 



Such a house is heated either by a flue from the furnace, supposed to be placed 

 in the basement of the house, or there may be a stove placed in depression of 

 the floor at one end of the conservator}', and with pipes running from a drum 

 length way each side to the other end, and returning to it again, may heat the room 

 sufficiently; but there would be nothing to prevent a low temperature at night, 

 unless some one could see that the fire was kept steadily burning. The most 



