Timely Topics for tKe Amateur Plant Lover 



WHAT gifts shall I give my friends 

 for Christmas? is a question 

 that comes to each of us in De- 

 cember. If you want to select something 



to become dry at the roots. Freesias 

 require a fair supply of water when top 

 growth has well started. 



Are you growing some bulbs for 



The First Prize Decorated Dining Table at Ontario Horticultural Exhibition 



that will last until the return of Christ- 

 mas another year, and longer, why 

 •not give growing plants? Make your 

 selections a week or more before the 

 holidays. An early selection means a 

 greater variety to choose from. Do 

 not buy a plant that has every flower 

 expanded. Select a plant with only a 

 few of the flowers open. The remain- 

 ing buds will open in due time and the 

 effect will be prolonged. 



One of the best flowering plants for 

 Christmas is the Gloire de Lorraine be- 

 gonia. It is always in bloom. Among 

 the many plants suitable for Christmas 

 presents are "Baby Rambler" roses, 

 cyclamen, Jerusalem cherry, genistas, 

 potted bulbs, primulas, azaleas, rubber 

 plants, araucaria, poinsettias, screw 

 pines, and a host of others. 



Books on gardening or fruit growing 

 are acceptable gifts. There are many 

 works on horticulture that are not only 

 practical but interesting, and nicely 

 bound. The Canadian Horticultur- 

 ist has issued a book catalog. You may 

 have one free by making application. 



THE WINDOW GARDEN 



Do not keep house plants in an at- 

 mosphere that is too dry. Moist air 

 and intelligent watering at the roots are 

 necessary to attain success in window- 

 garden work. .Some plants require only 

 a limited amount of water; among 

 them, cacti, century plants, hydrangeas 

 and oleanders. 



Potted bulbs should not be allowed 



Christmas gifts? Watch them closely. 

 Keep them well watered and not too 

 warm. They like plenty of sunlight 

 above and a cool temperature at the 

 roots. Think of the natural conditions 

 in which they grow best outside. The 

 same applies to house-grown ones. 



In order to grow plants well in the 

 house they must have plenty of light. 

 The best exposure is a southern one; 

 the next best, an eastern. Geraniums, 

 lantanas, heliotropes and all plants that 

 love much sunshine should be in the south 

 window. Begonias and plants that care 

 more for the sun in the early part of the 

 day than they do after its rays become 

 more intense, do best in an eastern ex- 

 posure. A west window gives too much 

 heat, but, if you desire to grow plants 

 there, the heat can be tempered by 

 means of a curtain of thin muslin. A 

 north window is not suited to the needs 

 of flowering plants, but some foliage 

 plants can be kept there, viz., ferns, 

 palms, aspidistra, ficus, lycopodiums 

 and tradescantia. 



Avoid draughts of cold air on plants, 

 as they check the growth and often in- 

 duce attacks of mildew. It is well to 

 ventilate on calm, warm days 



If your plants require repotting, do 

 not make the mistake of using a pot 

 four or five times larger than the one 

 in which the plant now grows. Two 

 sizes larger is sufficient. 



Newly potted plants should be wat- 

 ered once as soon as potted. Give suffi- 



301 



cient water to moisten all the soil in the 

 pot. Do not repeat the watering until 

 the soil shows signs of dryness. 



VEGETABLES AND FRUIT 



Prepare the hotbed and cold frame 

 for next season's use. Remove the old 

 soil and manure. It is easier done now 

 than in spring. Store some fresh soil 

 for use when the time comes. 



Store the garden tools before the snow 

 falls. Make everything about the gar- 

 den snug and secure. 



Onions for winter use should be stored 

 in a dry, airy place. It is best to keep 

 them out of the cellar. Parsnips, car- 

 rots and beets may be stored there and 

 covered with sand to prevent wilting. 



Keep a close watch for' rotting fruit 

 and vegetables in the cellar. If given 

 a good start they will cause the loss of 

 much that is now sound. Frequent 

 sorting and the most careful handUng 

 should be the rule. Bruising from care- 

 less handling is the cause of most of this 

 trouble. 



THE OUTDOOR GARDEN 



Beds of newly-planted bulbs should 

 be covered with a mulch. Strawy man- 

 ure or spruce boughs make good ma- 

 terial. A covering of leaves with brush 

 to hold them and to catch the snow, is 

 excellent for the purpose. See the il- 

 lustration on this page. 



m^ 



Ready for the Winter 



Tender and half-hardy perennials will 

 be benefited by the application of some 

 light protective material. Lilies of all 

 kinds should have a good mulching of 

 manure, especially the Japanese varie- 

 ties. While the hardier types do not^re- 



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