WINDOW-FLOWER CULTURE. 



738 



about one and a-half inches long, pink, each lobe 

 with a spot of crimson at the base, the lower lip having 

 a yellow stripe. M, Doitglasii is similar, but with a 

 larger throat and hardly any under-lip or stem or 

 leaves. We have forty varieties in the state. The 



sticky shrub, blooming all summer on every dry hill- 

 side, is AT. gliitinosus, with salmon colored flowers. M. 

 luteiis is the most showy variety ; the form of its pretty 

 flowers is shown on page 737. 



California. Mrs. K. P. S. BoYD. 



WINDOW -FLOWER CULTURE. 



A FEW SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS. 



'HE window, with many, is the only 

 available space for flower culture ; 

 but by making the best use of it 

 we can secure through the long 

 winter months the enjoyment of 

 abundance of fragrant flowers. 

 Often persons are deterred from 

 attempting to gratify their taste 

 for flowers in this way, because 

 of the supposed difficulty in the 

 way of producing flowers in the 

 winter. To such mistaken people the following brief 

 outlines may be useful : 



Select a window facing the south, that as much sun- 

 light may be had as possible. Arrange a shelf or stand 

 against or near the window ; on this arrange the plants. 

 Set the soft-wooded or tender plants nearest the light, 

 and the hard or smooth-leaved plants in the back- 

 ground. In making a selection of plants, no more 

 should be taken than can be properly cared for, nor 

 those varieties chosen which are of difficult cultivation, 

 unless their requirements are well understood. The 

 following is a very good selection for a novice : Gerani- 

 ums, double and single, and of all colors ; oxalis. candy- 

 tuft, ivy, heliotrope, mignonette, fuchsia and some 

 monthly roses ; and, if there be room enough, some 

 bulbs, such as crocus, hyacinth and tulip, may be added. 

 These plants, if given the simple culture they require, 

 will produce an abundance of bloom throughout the 

 winter. 



All the plants named will thrive in a soil composed of 

 two parts rich lejf-mold, and one of sand or sandy 

 loam. Put into the pots first some bits of charcoal or 

 broken crockery, to give drainage ; then the soil and 



the plants. Press the soil firmly abjut the roots, then 

 sprinkle moderately, and set them in the shade till they 

 are to be given their place in the window. Pot bulbs 

 in similar soil, and put them in the cellar, or elsewhere 

 out of reach of frost. In a short time they will root. 

 They may be brought out about New Year and placed 

 in the window, where, in a short time, they will blossom 

 freely. If kept cool after the flowers open, they will 

 last much longer. 



As a rule, water all the plants twice a week with soft 

 water, brought to about the temperature of the room. 

 Plants that grow most rapidly require more frequent 

 watering. When the soil at the top of the pots becomes 

 hard and dry, we may conclude that watering is neces- 

 sary. Most failures come from dryness, or from too 

 much watering. Dryness is liable to occur in a room 

 heated by a stove. It causes plants to fade and die ; and 

 to prevent this a basin of water should be kept on the 

 stove. This is also conducive to health. 



Plants should be kept from draughts ; therefore 

 ventilate from the top of the window. This should be 

 done two or three times a week, and in the pleasantest 

 part of the day. Turn the pots half around occasionally, 

 that the plants may grow straight and symmetrical. 

 For the needed stirring of the' soil use an old table fork, 

 taking care that the roots are not rudely disturbed. 



To sum up, keep the plants from extremes of heat and 

 cold ; give air and light as freely as possible ; moisten the 

 foliage regularly ; avoid saturating the roots with water ; 

 when necessary fertilize the soil with liquid drawn from 

 manure, or with a little finely pulverized hen manure. 

 If such a course is followed, satisfactory results may be 

 expected by any one who loves flowers. 



Greenville, Ky . James I. Baird 



