Window gardening. 
39 
Of course with all your fancy for new things, you will not forget to secure 
some few pots of good old fashioned flowers. They may be dear to many from 
only childish associations, liaving proved their value by the many years in which 
they have been cherished. No true lover despises them 
The culture in the spring months differs but little from ihat of the winter ; 
more air can be given, and often the windows can be let down from the top for 
the whole day. Remember that if the thermometer stands at 55'' and 65° out 
of doors, and the sun shines brightly, too much fresh air is impossible; but have 
the windows closed by three o'clock, for by that time a chilly wind often springs 
up in April, which would prove injurious to many tender plants, in a rapidly 
growing condition. Later in the season there is no danger. Great attention 
must be paid to general cleanliness ; now is the season to promote rapid growth, 
but if the plants cannot breathe freely, they are in a decidedly consumptive 
state, and must pine away To prolong the blooming of plants, every fading 
flower, even if it is but -one in a cluster, should be cut away. 
To keep the tiowers of Azaleas from falling, it is an excellent plan to drop a 
single drop of gum water underneath the flower^ where it sinks into the calyx; 
now is the time for their most profuse bloom, and they can be made more orna- 
mental by this process. 
No flowers should be left with water standing in their saucers, but if the 
plants are sunk in boxes or moss, there is no need of using saucers, which are 
hard to keep clean. 
Be sure and attend to the weekly washing, it is quite as essential to your plants 
as to your household cleanliness 
A small sized brush such as painters use, will be found of great service as it 
will wash off the tiniest leaf and stem. 
Water must be given plentifully during the spring months, and it is well to 
supply it till a few drops ooze out from the bottom of the pot; but don't water 
while the sun shines full upon the plants. 
Rain water is always the best for all vegetation. We especially recommend 
warm water in cold latitudes, as it cannot help but prove more invigorating to the 
roots. The sun does not shine every day ; often it is withdrawn for a week, but 
if the soil is warmed with the water, it will not check the growth of the plants 
as much. This rule does not apply so closely to conservatories ; there the plant 
can be sprinkled as though they were growing in the open ground, and warm 
water is not so much of a necessity in a greenhouse, where the whole tempera- 
ture is adapted to the needs of plant-life. But this is not the case in window 
gardens, and we think its use the greatest benefit to them. Early in April, or in 
the later days of March, the plants that were stored in the cellar for safe keeping 
should be brought to the light ; the decayed leaves and dust must be carefully 
brushed away and picked off, and the plant repotted, ready to start forth afresh. 
The more hardy plants, like Roses, Geraniums, Pansies, etc., etc., can be put 
out of doors on warm days to enjoy an hour or so of fresh air and sunshine, at 
Qoontirae; or if a warm rain falls, all the plants can go out and drink in fresh 
