Gardening in California 



CHAPTER XVI. 



PARLOR GARDENING. 



THIS chapter treats of various kinds of vase-plants suitable 

 for halls and apartments, and how to grow them. 



In order to be successful in growing plants in the halls 

 or ordinary rooms of the dwelling-house, we must select those ac- 

 customed naturally to the strong heat of tropical and semi- 

 tropical regions, as they stand the dry and dusty air of a living 

 room with a temperature varying from fifty to seventy-five de- 

 grees Fahrenheit. 



It should perhaps first be stated that if the plants are in- 

 tended to be kept close to the glass of the windows and exposed to 

 the Southerly sun, a class will have to be selected different from 

 those which can be grown successfully if placed either in the 

 middle or toward the side of the room where they will be par- 

 tially shaded. 



Among the latter class, that is, those which thrive well in the 

 middle or side of the room, and, while enjoying the light, are 

 injured by the direct rays of the sun shining through glass, may 

 be mentioned that best of all parlor vase-plants, Kentia Belmo- 

 riana, the ideal condition and exposure for this plant being in 

 a room facing the West, the pot being placed on a level with the 

 window-sill about three feet from the glass. The window-shade 

 should be kept up all day until the sun gets round, when it 

 should immediately be pulled down and left down until the sun 

 leaves the window, at which time it should again be raised. 



Among other plants which do well in similar conditions 

 and with similar treatment may be mentioned the Rubber 

 Plant (Ficus elastica), Dracsena terminalis, Pandanus utilis, 



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