Eight] House-plants ^ 



growing vigorously and shifted frequently, plants 

 should be in five-inch pots by February and coming 

 into bloom. When in full bloom it is well to remove 

 to a cool room, where the blossoms will last for weeks. 

 Cuttings may be taken when they are through bloom- 

 ing, but I think it best to begin afresh each year with 

 seed. 



Cinerarias make fine, large plants, as broad as they 

 are high, their rich, velvety leaves showing on the un- 

 der side wonderful colourings of green and lavender, 

 purple and plum. The large heads of single daisy- 

 like flowers show many shades of white, lavender, 

 crimson, purple, and maroon. Most of the varieties 

 have a dark eye and are sharply margined with some 

 contrasting color. The seed is fine and is simply 

 pressed into the soil. It germinates in from five to 

 seven days, and requires little heat. As the plants are 

 rather difficult to carry through the hot weather it is 

 better to defer sowing until August. Their growth is 

 rapid if given a cool, moist atmosphere, but a draught 

 is most injurious and care must be taken never to over- 

 water them. They like a moist, but never wet, soil, fre- 

 quently stirred when there is any sign of damping off. 

 They may be carried through an unusually hot spell 

 in a cool north or east cellar window, always avoiding 

 draughts. In winter an east window suits them best, 

 with abundant room to develop their leaves. They 

 are an exceedingly ornamental plant even without the 

 flowers. The shady side of the sand-box is the best 



