WINDOW GARDENING 37 
injure them gieaily, especially the Coleus, and all sub tropical plants unused 
to our cold autumn winds. 
They can be placed on a protected piazza, and covered at night with some mats 
or sheets, but the true lover of house plants does not feel at ease until all her pels 
are standing in their winter quarters ; then the cold chilly winds may blow, and 
Jack Frost's icy fingers pinch with blackening touches all that they can reacli; 
the household flowers arc safe beyond his dreaded touch. 
Do not crowd your plant stands or windows, give to each plant room to stretcli 
forth its branches and leaves, if you would have it bloom in vigor and beauty; 
untidy straggling plants are always detestable. 
Every dead leaf must be removed and every fading flower, and the leaf must 
not remain in the pots, but be taken away; cleanliness is so important that no 
damp leaves or decaying flowers should be left. Window plants suffer chiefly in 
the winter months from indiscriminate waterings, allowing them to go dry for 
two or three days and then soaking them for a week. 
Many a lady cannot imagine why her plants do not grow and bloom as luxuriantly 
as at her opposite neighbor's. But it is the lack of daily atttention that makes the 
difference. One lady buys her plants because it is the fashion to have tliem in the 
windows; the other loves lier plants as a part of herself, sees in them an individu- 
ality ; a glimpse perhaps of something beautiful beyond this world's plain reali- 
ties, and it is not a care for her to attend to their necessities, but rather a privi 
lege. 
In the winter time the familiar question is asked over and over again: " How am 
I to know when my plants need watering.'" Watch them carefully, and they 
will tell you; wilted leaves, drooping branches, and yellow shades show that 
they are water-clogged ; they must be allowed a respite. 
Turn up the soil as heretofore directed, with a stout hairpin, and if it is dry 
give more water ; if not, abstain from it. 
Success in window gardening depends greatly in never permitting the plants 
to suffer from an)' neglect. 
When you water, give it copiously, and if the next day the plants have 
enough pass them by ; but there are always some in a window or a stand of 
plants that desire it, so carry round the watering pot every day, take the time 
either before or after breakfast, have a special hour, and never forget it. There 
is more danger of giving too much water during the winter, than in the spring 
and summer, because the evaporation is much less. 
In winter there should be no water left in the saucers ; with the exception of . 
aquatics, who require it 
A small toy watenng pot such as are sold for children's use, is of the greatest 
assistance ; it will sprinkle the surface of tiny pots without wetting either stands 
01 window glass. 
A piece of oilcloth is an excellent protection to carpets, and should always be 
placed under every window and plant stand 
It is best to select a cloudy day for giving your plants a thorough cleaning, 
