THE WINTER WINDOW GARDEN III 



or injury to the plant. There are a number 

 of different varieties of this, the flowers 

 varying in colour from white to pink and 

 light blue. Much can be done to induce 

 the blue colour in the flowers by watering 

 the plants all summer with a weak solution 

 of alum. To make: dissolve one pound of 

 alum in two quarts of ammonia and add the 

 whole to twenty gallons of water, mixing it 

 well. Always use this for watering the plants, 

 and do not expose the plants to direct sunlight. 

 This must be used when the plants are mak- 

 ing their growth in the summer previous to 

 being forced. When the hydrangea is 

 through flowering cut it back, say in May, 

 removing about half the growth. If you 

 cut back more than this there is likely to be 

 a strong growth from the roots which will not 

 flower the following year. The plants may 

 be either set in the open ground or repotted 

 and plunged outdoors. Grow them out- 

 doors until danger of frost; then bring them 

 in and store them in a very cool and light 

 place. All summer the plants will need an 

 abundance of water, twice a day at least on 

 sunny days, for they are thirsty plants, and 

 give them liquid fertilizer occasionally. 



