FOR YOUNG GARDENERS. 57 



while it is in bloom it is very effective. A few bulbs in a 

 window box with other plants, if they are judiciously ar- 

 ranged, will add to it. 



CARE OP THE PLANTS. 



Water is the most essential element of plant food, and 

 water and air are two things that every plant requires, yet 

 there are no set rules that can be given when these things 

 should be applied. Generally speaking, however, a plant 

 should only be watered when it is dry and should then be 

 watered sufficiently to wet it thoroughly. Sometimes it is 

 necessary to water plants two or three times a day in sunny 

 weather, and again, in cloudy weather, once a week may 

 be often enough. Plants should receive good air. It is 

 well to open a window for a few moments every bright 

 snnny day, even in winter. Dust frequently clogs the 

 pores. For this reason it is best to sprinkle the foliage of 

 plants by taking them to the kitchen sink or to the bath- 

 tub at least once or twice a week. If this is not practicable, 

 dusting with a duster or washing coriaceous leaves with a 

 sponge is advisable. Where the plants can be properly 

 sprayed, they are not likely to be troubled very much with 

 insects. In case a single plant is covered with green fly, 

 place a paper bag over it and have some friend who 

 smokes, puff the cigar smoke into the bag. A few times 

 will remedy this trouble. Scale insects, if they once get 

 hold, can only be removed by washing off with a stiff 

 brush, or, if near a florist, have him give it the Hydro 

 Cyanic Acid Gas treatment. Pyrethrum or tobacco dust 

 is also valuable but is generally too objectionable to have 

 in a living room. The best preventative is to always keep 

 the plants in perfect health and growing. The pots or 

 window boxes should be turned frequently so as to have 

 the plants develop symmetrically. 



In closing I will only say that it is the loving attention 

 to the little requirements of the plants that is the secret of 

 the greatest success with the window garden. Many of 

 those requirements can only be learned through coming 



