^^ ^, 



CULTURE OF FAVORITE PLANTS. i\ 



may be unripe allowed to thy in some airy place, when they may all he trimmed of the 

 ^spent roots and leaves, and stored away where thev will not mildew from moisture or 

 suffer from frost. The Gladiolus is the finest cut flower in existence. The spike placed in 

 a vase, after the first flower has expanded, will develop and open every bud, and grow 

 more delicate and beautiful to the last. 



HELIO TR OPE. 



MONG the favorite plants for window culture, and one of the most 

 ^-^•jSfV'l l&f \t^ tlesirable for the greenhouse, is the Heliotrope; and this on account of 

 ^ '/>^ifclA/Eii L f^ its clusters of vanilla-scented flowers, which are the various shades of 

 lavender or purple, and are in great request for cut-flower decorations 

 and bouquets. If we might be allowed the expression we should call it 

 one of the most quick-tempered of plants, pouting and petulant, to be 

 coyly along as if not being led, or else given its own way, when it will grow 

 iriously. It is quite susceptible to a change of atmosphere. A plant brought 

 from the greenhouse should be watched that it get not too dry in the soil, which will 

 be when it looks very dry on the surface, or else the leaves will begin to turn jellow 

 or brown, and in a few days will drop. We have sometimes turned the balls of 

 earth out on our hand, and found the fine rootlets, that should be like white silk and 

 full of life, one brown, decaying mass, rendered so by the withholden cup of water on 

 the one hand, and on the other by the porousness of the pot, that had withdrawn what 

 moisture they derived from the soil. All this dead substance should be picked off gently, 

 and the plant replaced in the pot; when, with a little more attention, it will begin to grow 

 again, having become accustomed to its surroundings. 



When placed in the groimd in summer the Heliotrope grows finelv, but is very impa- 

 tient of removal, as the lifting disturbs the roots too much. Those who wish a choice 

 specimen saved should secure slips from it first, and get them rooted; then they will not 

 be entirely helpless in case of failure in removing the plant. In taking up a large plant 

 the following directions may be observed: Cut the roots all round the plant, so that the 

 ball of soil will be a little less than the pot or box it is intended to grow it in; let the 

 cutting be done with a very sharp knife or spade, and afler the cutting let the plant remain 

 in the ground for six or eight davs. When ready to transfer, lift the plant as gently :;s 

 possible from the ground with something broad enough not to disturb the roots, and 

 place it in the pot; put this in an entirely dark place for a few days, giving no water at 

 first (as the soil should be in a condition not to require it), watching to see when it begins 

 to revive, then gradually move it to the light and trim it back. The foliage will probably 

 fail, but if successful it will start again. 



The Heliotrope, to be a fine plant, should be allowed to grow large, and then it 

 would be nearly always covered with flowers. A tub or box is the best place for this 

 plant. For a window, one the size of a butter firkin answers. Indeed, a firkin itself 

 could be used by washing it free from grease, and then soaking out the salt which it has 



367 ' M 



