406 



THE IIOUSEUOLD. 



charming life-giving influence. Many a window of a gi'and honse loolcs oni 

 upon nothing hut brick walls, which tower up high, and blot out the aun''s 

 raj-8. The occupants of these houses are often bound by the exigencies oL 

 business to make their homes for weary months in these shadowy dwelling 

 places. Why then do they not bring the beaiitiful ferns into requisition ? 



What exquisite grace would be shed over every room in a house ii every 

 available space were occupied by the feathery fronds of those beaiitifui 



plants! On tables and side 

 boards, on mantel pieces and 

 on window sills; hanging 

 from window rods, on the 

 landing of the stairs, in the 

 hall, in the bedroom — evei-y- 

 where in fact. 



We give an illustration of 

 a cane stand lined with zinc 

 and filled with ferns and be- 

 gonias, which might be 

 bought for a dollar or two, 

 and which would not be out 

 of place in the most elegant 

 apartment. 



House Plants. — Contrive 

 some cover over them at 

 sweeping time. This may be, 

 for plants on shelves, a cur- 

 tain of some light material; if 

 on a table, an upiight post or 

 stick set in a hole in the mid- 

 dle of the table, to hold up 

 the center of a spread of some 

 kind; o r contrive some 

 method of using old news- 

 papers. Let this covering 

 remain until the dust has 

 completely settled. All 

 Bmooth-leaved plants, espe- 

 cially ivy, camelias, capo 

 jessamine, and the like, 

 should have their leaves 

 washed with a soft sponge — 

 a rag vill answer — on both 

 sides, with tepid water, at 

 least once a week. It will 

 be found much less trouble 

 than one would suppose, und the increased beauty of the foliage will lead to 

 its repetition. Eough-leavcd plants, such as geraniums, and many other.3, 

 cannot be washed to advantage. Set these in a bath tub, or in a sink, anl 

 fjive their leaves a good drenching by using a garden syringe or a watering- 

 pot with fine holes, holding it iip high so that the water will fall with force 

 upon the leaves. lie sure that the water ia not too cold, as it would teud to 

 check the growth. 



STAND FOR I'EKNS. 



