dreer's garden calendar. 'Jt 



WINDOW GAEDENING. 



The Amateur experiences the greatest difficulty in the manage- 

 ment of phints- in rooms, from the dryness of the atmosphere. 

 'J'liis may, liowever, he in a measure ohviated, by having the 

 stands on which they are placed made with ledges, and covering 

 them with about one inch of sand, on which place the pots. The 

 sand sliould be kept wet, and may be covered with moss to im- 

 prove its appearance. The leaves of the plants must be kept clean, 

 and frequently sprinkled with water, or washed with a plant- 

 syringe, which not only keeps off the insects, but clears tke leaves 

 of dust and opens the breathing pores. Without a sufficiency of 

 air and light, plants will soon become weak and sickly, and their 

 leaves will turn yellow. For this reason they must have as much 

 sun and light during the winter months as possible, admitting air 

 whenever the temperature is not too cold. 



WATERING PLANTS, whether in a room or green-house, must 

 be regularly attended to. Never allow the soil to become so dry 

 that it will crumble under the pressure of the finger ; at the same 

 time avoid a constant dribbling of water, as in either case it is sure 

 to terminate fatally, with more or less of the collection. Never 

 water unless the plant really needs it, and then give freely, ob- 

 serving that the surplus runs out at the bottom. If water stands 

 on the surface, it is an indication of insufficient drainage, and 

 should be at once remedied. When saucers are used, the water 

 must be removed from them as soon as it has drained through 

 the pots, as nothing can be more injurious to the roots of most 

 plants than to have the pot they grow in kept standing in water. 

 There are some exceptions, however, to this rule, such as all kinds 

 of Mimulusj Hydrangeas, Calla ^thiopica, Lobelias, and all such as 

 require an abundance of water. Plants in a state of bloom or 

 vigorous growth require more water than at other times. Here 

 the Amateur's judgment must be exercised, as scarcely any two 

 plants require the same quantity of water at all times. Never use 

 cold water ; but let it conform as near as possible with the tempera- 

 ture of the room. Overpotting, with imperfect drainage, is also 

 a fruitful cause of sickly plants. In transferring a plant to a largei 

 pot, never advance more than one size at a time, observing to g*ive 

 plenty of drainage, by placing a layer of potsherds or bits of chctr- 

 coal at the bottom of the pot. The novices in plant-culture, when 

 they find their plants becoming sickly, usually resort to over 

 feeding — via overpotting — with the use of stimulants, such as 

 guano or liquid manure, where an opposite course is necessary. 

 Such plants may frequently be restored by reducing the ball of 

 earth, placing them in smaller pots, well drained, and by keeping 

 them moderately dry, the healthy action of the roots will be once 

 more restored, and they will again become healthy specimens : 

 then their growth can be promoted by gradually shifting into 

 larger pots. By an observance of the above hints, nearly all 

 green-house plants may be grown successfully in a room. 



