204. MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



All the asparagus ferns require a fertilizer during 

 winter; indeed the only way to grow these plants 

 indoors is to use fertilizers, for unless this is done 

 the plants require so large a pot as to be unmanage- 

 able. Asparagus Sprengeri, when grown in tubs or 

 window boxes out of doors in the summer, makes a 

 magnificent growth and, if potted in fall in a twelve- 

 inch pot and kept well watered and fertilized, makes 

 a fine showing all winter and is quite sufficient, in 

 itself, for the decoration of one window or corner 

 of the room. The pot should stand on a pedestal 

 where the long sprays can sweep down unrestrained 

 and one which is easily turned is preferable, for, al- 

 though this plant requires little light, it should be 

 turned occasionally towards the light to prevent the 

 sprays turning up and backwards. 



Another most satisfactory plant for the house is 

 found in the aspidistra. This plant needs only to 

 be potted in good compost, containing a reasonable 

 amount of old, well decayed manure or some bone 

 meal, or both, regularly supplied with water and the 

 leaves kept free from dust by sponging or showering. 

 It does well in almost any window, but probably bet- 

 ter in an east or north window where a little sun- 

 shine comes. Once established, it should not be dis- 

 turbed, as it dislikes change. For this reason the 

 pot should not be turned around in the window. 



All the primrose family make satisfactory winter 



