76 WINTER GREENERIES AT HOME. 



they are young plants which have begun flowering late in 

 the season, or have been held somewhat in check ; better 

 still, if they have been lifted, potted, and trimmed in the 

 latter part of August. On the approach of frost, Gera- 

 niums of all sorts, Fuchsias, Passifloras, Petunias, Pan- 

 sies, Lobelias, Abutilons, Ageratums, Cupheas, Chry- 

 santhemums, etc., may be transferred to the sunny win- 

 dows of an airy room with but little interruption to their 

 bloom for several weeks. Under the most favorable cir- 

 cumstances some of them may continue flowering far into 

 the winter. In this list may be included a considerable 

 number of plants started from seed in the summer or 

 early autumn, such as Mignonette, Sweet Alyssum, etc. 

 Such experiments, I am assured, have been made repeat- 

 edly and with complete success. So it appears that, for 

 at least the early part of winter, no one having a home 

 need be without the brightness and beauty of bloom. 



LIQUID FERTILIZERS. 



For the ordinary growth of plants the soil in the pots 

 is supposed to contain sufficient nutriment, since every 

 shifting adds a fresh supply. But during the whole pro- 

 cess of flowering, the demand becomes temporarily in- 

 creased, and is most conveniently supplied by some kind 

 of plant-food in a liquid form. The best is had by put- 

 ting a quantity of old and well-rotted horse or cow-ma- 

 nure into a pail, tub, or other receptacle, and keeping it 

 filled with water ; the liquid to be applied freely when 

 "diluted to the color of weak tea." The addition of 

 charcoal is said to neutralize any offensive odor, but the 

 soil in the pots soon produces the same effect. As a sub- 

 stitute, when necessary, Aqua Ammomce may be used 

 moderately, in the proportion of one teaspoonful to a 

 quart of water. Guano is sometimes applied to plants in 

 pots, especially budding Fuchsias and Geraniums, hav- 

 ing been first dissolved in hot water, one teaspoonful 

 to a gallon ; but its use is rather unsafe for the plants 



