56 



HINTS AND HELPS 



North windows in warm rooms for 

 germinating seed and starting cuttings.' 

 For starting seed use one part soil and 

 two parts sand, or just the soil if it is 

 light. For taking cuttings, select the 

 younger growth of the plants where the 

 shoots are pretty well matured so that 

 they are not too soft. The tops of 

 shoots generally make the best cuttings. 

 Cut them two or three inches long, trim 

 off the large side leaves; they should 

 then be inserted in clean, sharp sand 

 at least half their length and wet thoroughly. A deep 

 plate or shallow dish containing about two inches of sand 

 can be used. This can be placed on a radiator or on the 

 back of the stove at night. They should be kept moist, 

 not allowed to dry up, nor should they be overwatered. 

 Bottom heat stimulates root development. 



Cut loaned by 

 Doubleday, Page 6 



Co. 



BULBS. 



Nearly all our common bulbs can be made to bloom 

 successfully in the window garden, although a cool room 

 will give the best results. The bulb should be potted in 

 the Fall and the pots and boxes containing them should 

 be left out of doors or in a cellar where the temperature is 

 low. They can be brought into the window garden suc- 

 cessively and thus obtain a succession of bloom. In pot- 

 ting bulbs, give plenty of drainage and be sure that the 

 soil is not too firm directly under them; otherwise the roots 

 will throw the bulb above the surface of the soil. Most 

 bulbs should be just covered with earth which is pressed 

 firmly around the sides of the bulb. They should not be 

 watered until growth commences. When about to bloom 

 they will require considerable water. The commonest 

 bulbs that do well are: Crocus; Daffodils; Freesias; Hya- 

 cinth; Oxalis; Lily of the Valley; and Tulips. Sometimes 

 a window box can be made up entirely of bulb stock, and 



