SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT OP PARLOR PLANTS. 281 



plant, say one of five inches, place one inch of small pieces 

 of brick or broken crocks at the bottom ; other sizes in 

 proportion, whether larger or smaller. And if the plants 

 be kept in a saucer to prevent the surplus water from 

 reaching the carpet, never let the water remain in it (ex- 

 cept for swamp plants, Calla Ethiopica and the like), for 

 when the pots have a good drainage, the water will pass 

 freely through the soil into the saucer, washing the execre- 

 mentitious substance from the plants into the saucer. Plants 

 in the parlor will require less water in December and Jan- 

 uary than at any other time, for during these months the 

 major part of Flora's gems are in a state of rest. In the 

 month of February nature begins to put forth the signs of 

 coming spring ; our ideas are on the alert, and their antici- 

 pations are like the buds of the late dormant plants, shoot- 

 ing luxuriantly at the approach of returning spring ; then 

 encouragement will be necessary. This must be attended 

 to by giving your plants water moderately at first, to be 

 increased as warm weather advances. Most plants require 

 top dressing or potting. March is a month well calculated 

 for the operation, while some are better for repotting in 

 October. These months are suited for the generality 

 of plants ; others through the summer. Experience will 

 show their time. 



There are many annuals and biennials that make very 

 agreeable parlor companions in the fall and spring, when 

 in flower, for not all perennials are suitable for that pur- 

 pose ; and there are many bulbous rooted plants worthy 

 the attention of the amateur, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, 

 Crocuses, Jonquils, Tuberoses, Polyanthus Narcissus, Snow 

 Drops (both spring and autumn). Ixias, Amaryllis, Irises 



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