POPULAR GARDENING. 



January, 



be its place imtil its hardiness became known. 

 As a pot plant the Eulalia is delicate and gi-ace- 

 ful looking- in a decided degree, and along with 

 its peeular markings is sure to attract atten- 

 tion in any rolleci'tion of plants. 

 * 

 * * 



Janudi'if 28. In managing a plant conser- 

 vatory, I have found through yeai's of exper- 

 ience, that, to have "air on" as the florists say, 

 for a longer or shorter time by one or two hours 

 daily, makes agi'eatdifference in the well doing ' 

 of the plants. My rule in all mild weather is 

 to go over the house four times daily, in open- ] 

 ing and closing the ventilatoi's. 



As soon as the outside temperature begins to i 

 rise a little, I open the ventilators, a little only ; 

 then in perhaps an hour I go through the house \ 

 again, and open them as much as they will beai' ; i 

 in the afternoon this plan is reversed. 



Those plant growers who find too much 

 trouble in this system, are sure also to find 

 something else that I don't often meet, namely: 

 unhealthy plants, and along with these insects 

 without end, to cover them. 



>>g^:^^^T^. 



THE HOUSE PLANTS. 



If plants put forth flowers at all in tliis dark, cold, 

 opening month of the year, it must be mainly on 

 the strength of earlier stored-up vitality. 



There are the Hyaciuths. Tulips and other Dutch 

 Bulbs, however, which are exactly suited by natui'e 

 for now doing this, and doing it well, if allowed to. 

 The bulbs of these are receptacle of acquired plant 

 food, and in a measure which permits of growth and 

 bloom imder conditions decidedly adverse to most 

 plants doing much. 



On these, therefore, we may depend for flowers 

 in January, when so few other plants are disposed 

 to bloom. But this class of bxdbs are so well adapt- 

 ed to house ciUture and afford so much beauty and 

 varietj' in their flowers, that it is easy with these, 

 and the few Callas, CameUias, Carnations, Cycla- 

 mens, Heliotrope, Libonias, Chorozemas, Primroses, 

 and so on that are now likely to come out to have 

 quite a presence of fine flowei's even now. 



Towards the end of ihe month, the greater length 

 t.'f the (.lays will tell favorably on the growth and 

 bloom of other plants, helping their attractiveness. 

 The non-flowering (under common culture) kinds, 

 such as Palms, Aspidistras, Rubber Trees, Ivies, 

 Dracaenas and so on, should now be looking well. 

 These ought to be rehed upon, to give a charming 

 tone in leaf beauty, to the winter collection. 



Air. On all mild days treat the plants freely to 

 outside air; in all but the coldest weather, at least 

 some air shoidd Ije admitted daily, if only after the 

 morning sweeping. Much dryness in the air is un- 

 favorable; a vessel of water on the back of the stove 

 to evaporate will help this matter greatly. 



Begonias of either the Rex or the flowering sorts 

 are among the best of house ]>lants. "WTiile they 

 have no need of bright sunshine— in fact dislike it, 

 yet a light place in other respects suits them. The 

 Rex division delight in a moist atmosphere. 



Camellias. Keep in a temperature near 50°, be- 

 low rather than above; sponge off twice a week. 



Cinerarias. Great care needs to be taken against 

 their becoming pot-bound; growth must be constant. 



Cyclamens, when done blooming, are usually dried 

 off; a better CO ui"se is to keep them growing until 

 spring, then turn them into the border for the 

 Bummer. 



Daphnes like coldness and humidity with low heat. 



Dutch Bulbs. As the earUer started ones pass 

 out of bloom they should have their tlower stalks 

 cut out. Those to be save<l for future use in the 

 garden should be kept in a cool, light place until 

 planting out time, in May. 



Late started ones may be brought into heat for a 

 succession for a month or two yet. These, as we 

 earlier directed, should, after potting, be kept in a 

 cellar or other dark, cool place, until they are well 

 provided with rootn. Before showing a good lot 

 of rootH on the outside of the ball of earth, it is 



really useless to bring them in, expecting good re- 

 sults. As for watering these plants when growing 

 in heat, it can hardly be overdone^Hyacinths and 

 Crocuses, will gi-ow and flower with their roots in 

 water, only,— a wonderful thing for plants to do. and 

 indicative of the great love of these for wetness. 



Fern Cases. Keep moderately wet; too much 

 moisture in the soil tends to soxu- if. When water- 

 ing is necessary, follow this act by opening the 

 case to allow surplus moisture to readily escape. 

 Air should often be admitted besides, but never 

 while any dust of the room is in motion. 



Frbzen Plants. If any have been caught, re- 

 move at once, and without handling the leaves if 

 you can, to a temperature a little above the freezing 

 point, say at So^. A careful douse of each plant 

 into cold water at this stage will also be helpful. 

 Here many will recover with but shght damage, 

 that in a higher heat would be much injured. If 

 the desired temperature is lacking, let the room in 

 which they are standing be heated gradually. Sev- 

 eral hghted lamps placed on the floor will help well 

 at the start. Avoid above all else ninning up a 

 strong heat— keep it below 4CP until the frost is all 

 out, and even some longer. 



Fuchsias placed in a cellar in the fall may be 

 brought into heat; when they begin to show new 

 leaves shift into pots, a size or two smaller than 

 those previously occupied, shaking out most of the 

 old earth. The soil should be fresh, light and well 

 enriched with old decayed manure. 



Ivy and like plants with heavy leaves, should be 

 often washed, for the sake of health and looks. 



Lemon Verbenas. See directions for Fuchsias. 



Propagation, Where slips of any kind are large 

 enough they may go into sand for rooting. Plants 

 kept to supply cuttings do not need free shifting, as 

 this tends to excite a quick and succulent growth 

 that is not so favorable for making young plants. 

 Give the cutting box a light and even sunny place. 



Seed Sowing. For early plants of Mignonette, 

 Petunia, Maurandia, Dusty Miller Centaurea gym- 

 liocarpa, Golden Feather, and Ten Week Stocks, 

 the seeds should be sown during this month. 



LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN, 



Little can be done m this department diuiug Jan- 

 uary, save to plan and to prepare for the future. 

 But as om* success In gardening depends so much 

 upon the intelligence and foresight brought to bear 

 upon our work, we should look upon this first month 

 of the year, wfth the large amount of leisure for 

 study aud deliberation that it brings, as a most im- 

 portant one in the garden calendar. 



Catalogues should be ordered from the uui-series, 

 seed liouses aud implement dealers early, that am- 

 ple time may be had in studying up one's needs. 

 First come first served is the rule in filling orders by 

 those who furnish stock, so there is no danger of 

 making out ordere too early. Better have them reach 

 the nui"sery a month before spring, thus securing 

 the stock early, than to get there so late that plant- 

 ing may be delayed dangerously. Seeds especially, 

 should be gotten around early in anticipation of the 

 early sowings. 



Flower Beds. As no one ever thinks of planting 

 the same beds alike year after year, so the sooner 

 the coming season's plans are decided on, the better 

 for getting up the needed stock bj- plauting-out time. 



Hollyhocks. By sowing seed now in the w'indow 

 or under glass, and planting out in Maj', these plants 

 will tlower as annuals in September. 



Hybrid Perpetual Roses earthed up a foot deep 

 for the winter, are sure to come thi'ough safely. If 

 this was not done in the fall, coal ashes from the 

 stove may yet be apphed instead. ^Mien emptying 

 them out, sprinkle them with water to prevent their 

 blowing away. 



Mice are prone to girdle trees and shnibs when 

 supplies of food are cut off. They work under the 

 snow ordinarily, hence if the snow be kept tramped 

 about the trunks of trees and shiiibs, their oppor- 

 tunity is taken from them. Their food being scarce 

 now, trapping with tempting bait.works well. 



Pansies t'< 'r spring bloom may be sown now. 



Rabbits often make bad work gnawing the bark 

 of yovmg trees. Some bloody meat or liver I'ubbed 

 i>u the trunks will prevent this. 



Bock work in some shape is desirable in nearly 

 every place. This is a good season for gathering 

 material with which to construct, so that when 

 spring comes formation may be begmi early. One 

 or two kinds of stone look better usually in construc- 

 tions of this kind than more would, the idea being 

 to make it appear as if the stone were natural to the 

 place. In the absence of stone, fair substitutes may 

 be had in the odd shaped chnkei-s that come from 

 fiunaces. and distorted burned bricks from kilns. 



Eustic work may now be made. Cedar is a favor- 

 ite and easily worked wood for this purpose— now 

 that the swamps are closed it is readily procured. 

 Lam-el w^ood. and especially its roots, is another fav- 

 orite material; but many other kinds that will work 

 up well may be used. AVith a little ingenuity rustic 

 tables, seats, arbore, vases and so on may be maile 

 that will be both beautiful and inexpensive. 



Snow drifts so high, where young trees are stand- 

 ing, as to reach above the place of branches leaving 

 the tnmks. are liable to cause the limbs to break, 



Heating with a Coal-Oil Lamp, 

 wheu later the snow settles away. A little shoveling 

 will prevent this. Snow that has accumulated in 

 the tops of evergreens or shrubs should be shaken 

 out ivhen it is Hght and soft. 



Tree Pruning, if any part of a tree lacks in free 

 growth, by pinming now, the shoots will push with 

 increased vigor next year. See article in December 

 issue. All scars above an inch across should be 

 coated with paint or tar to keep out moisture. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS 



Amaryllis. Repot those showing signs of growth, 

 watering very little at fii"St but gradually increasuig. 



Azaleas coming into bloom need plenty of water. 

 A collection may be had in tlower over a much 

 longer season, if different temperatures are at com- 

 mand, by bringing some into high heat by degrees, 

 for early, keeping others cooler, some quite cool. 



Begonia Rex may be propagated now from 

 leaves. Turn well matured ones of these bottom 

 side up, and with a sharp knife cut the main ribs 

 here and there, and just below dividing points, 

 at about, say nine places. Then lay on sand, with 

 the right side up, in a heat of ()()<^ with a httle sand 

 on top of the leaf to weigh it down. The ah should 

 be moist. We have Hung the leaves under bedded 

 Rose bushes, grown for Rose buds, and without fiu*- 

 ther care have found them to root well. 



Broken glass must have immediate attention. 

 In our greenhouse we keep " life preservere,*" made 

 in several sizes on hand, to close up any breaks until 

 they can be repaired. These consist of pieces of 

 board a trifle larger than one, two or more panes of 

 glass respectively, and which are used to lay over 

 any breaks. A screw-eye is put into one ^ide near 

 the center of each board, and to this is attached a 

 cord, holding a weight, for keeping tlie board in place 

 over the opening. These serve their purpose well. 



Bulbs like Gladiolus, Tuberose and the like should 

 be looked after at this season that they are in good 

 order. Ciladiolus, Cannas and Dahhas are often 

 kept under the greenhouse stages; see that no 

 moisture comes to them to induce gi'owth now. 

 Tuberoses and others should be cleaned up, and 

 have the offsets removed during the winter's leisure. 



Flowering Begonias that have gone out of bloom 

 should be pruned somewhat and kept rather dry. 

 When signs of new growth appear, repot. Avoid 

 over*watering always. 



Fuchsias should now be struck for nice spring 

 plants. Once in jjots they are impatient of cramped 

 root room ; let them not want water or light. Plants 

 stuck after this should not have their tops pinched 

 off, but should be grown naturally and quick. 



Geraniums. Fall propagated ones wiU be putting 

 on new signs of vigor now^; see that they are not 

 in the way of being crowded with the fii"st in- 

 crease of growth l)y standing to close. Repot to 

 produce a good growth for spring. Geraniums of 

 the tricolor section being less robust than the com- 

 mon sorts, need a little extra attention. They de- 

 light in a warm place, say bo", and much light,— 

 shelves near the glass in a Bouvardia house suiting. 



Heating. For heating a small plant house or to 

 provide extra heat in the colder parts of one, a coal 

 oil heater may often be used to advantage. The ac- 

 couipanyiug cut shows such a stove with hot water 



