FLOWER GARDENING 239 



out through the openings of the barrel. This is the liquid manure 

 which should be applied to the soil. Before using, dilute the liquid 

 until it is of a pale yellowish amber color. Applications should 

 not as a rule be made oftener than every ten days or two weeks. 

 A teaspoonful of bone meal or bone dust every month is sometimes 

 found beneficial to ordinary pot plants. 



Should the plant become sickly on account of the presence of 

 larvae or worms in the soil, it will be found advisable to thoroughly 

 saturate the soil with clear limewater. This will drive out the 

 worms and will not injure the plant. If no manure is used without 

 being first thoroughly scalded with hot water, there will be no 

 likelihood of trouble from worms, as the larvae will be killed by 

 this treatment. If the leaves become diseased, dissolve some 

 copperdine in water and spray the plants from time to time until 

 the disease disappears. An occasional use of the spray is also 

 advisable with healthy plants in order to ward off diseases of a 

 bacterial or fungous nature. A soapsuds spray will be found 

 effective as a simple home-made insecticide. For the mealy 

 bug and scale, applications of lemon oil or of fir-tree oil will be 

 found best. 



In watering plants great care must be taken. Many plants are 

 killed by overwatering and overzealousness on the part of amateur 

 florists. Always stir the soil first with your finger, and if it appears 

 dry and dusty on top, the plant needs watering; if the soil appears 

 damp, heavy, or sticky, the plant needs no watering. Plants 

 should be looked after every day. Generally the best time for 

 watering plants is late of an evening. During the warm season 

 it should never be attempted during the middle of the day. 



Window Gardening. In the cities it frequently happens that 

 room cannot be found for an outdoor flower garden, but in such 

 cases the housekeeper may find a great deal of pleasure in having a 

 small window garden. When a choice of windows' can be had, it 

 will be best to take one facing the south in order that the plants 

 may have all the sunshine possible. 



The window may be fitted up to receive the plants by attaching 

 to the wall under the window a board shelf supported either on 

 iron brackets or wooden supports. If the plants are to be placed 

 outside, it is best to replace the shelf with a window box and set 



