The Canadian Horticulturist. 19 



into a house where the temperature ranges from fifty to sixty degrees. When 

 far enough advanced transpose into a warmer house for forcing ; Roman Hya- 

 cinths being such easy forcers a constant supply may be had during the winter 

 months, by regulating the growth according to your wants. Blue and Rose 

 Roman Hyacinths should have the same treatment as the white, but they will 

 not force as quick nor as early ; consequently they should remain a longer time 

 in a cold house or frame before they are brought into a hothouse for forcing. — 

 Florists' Guide. 



WINTER CARE OF HOUSE PLANTS. 



AIM to secure the best light, a south or east window being much better than 

 a north or west. 

 2. Secure as moist air as possible, by keeping a kettle of water on the stove 

 at all times will greatly help. Sponges soaked with water and hung in the branches 

 of the larger plants will be found a great help as the moisture comes so directly 

 in contact with the leaves. If one can have a plant shelf made water tight, and 

 with board raised a couple of inches around the side to make a sort of box, and 

 fill with soil well watered, it will save much time in watering the plants in pots. 

 Moisture supplied in above ways prevents the red spider's depredations as well as 

 ■contributing to the plant's healthy growth. 



3. Air the plants every day no matter how cold, but do not commit the mis- 

 take of an amateur whom I once knew of opening the window directly on the 

 plants the coldest days which resulted in their freezing. Draughts must be avoid- 

 ed. Supply the fresh air by opening a window or door of an adjoining room. 



4. Secure peifect drainage for all subjects. This is very important, and is the 

 cause of perhaps one-half the ill health of all window garden plants. It is of much 

 more importance than good suitable soil. 



5. When water is given, do it thoroughly, and remove promptly from the 

 saucers of all plants which have been over supplied. 



6. Remove all faded flowers and leaves as fast as they show, and use the 

 pruning knife where necessary. 



7. In placing in the window take care that one subject is not crowded into 

 another. One kind of plant leaves touching another often causes them to turn 

 brown. The Heliotrope is an example of this. 



8. Keep free from dust by frequent syringing and on smooth-leaved plants 

 brushing off with a soft cloth. Always cover up plants with a paper in sweeping 

 or dusting the room. 



9. Allow no one to handle plants but the one who cares for them continually. 

 It should be his or her duty to rapidly acquire the knowledge of best position in 

 the window for each kind, and no one should be allowed to move them. Plants 

 are not made to be handled more than is necessary, but rather to be admired. 



