DESIGN FOR RURAL COTTAGE. 
We present this month a cottage, costing $3,850, 
containing, we think, a good deal of accommodation 
for the money, there being four rooms 
on the first floor. The parlor, dining 
and sitting rooms are connected by slid¬ 
ing doors. There are three rooms and 
bath on second floor, and two good 
rooms in third story. The room over 
the kitchen is intended for servant’s bed¬ 
room—readied by a private staircase 
from kitchen. All the rooms are oi 
good size for this class of house. Each 
room is lighted from two sides, thus 
insuring coolness in warm weather. 
The exterior, although plain, has, we 
think, a pleasing appearance, with its 
broad, comfortable verandas and carriage 
porch, and ..liberally projected roof at 
eaves and gables, casting deep, pleasant 
shadows. 
The house is intended to be well built. 
To be sheathed and papered before clap¬ 
boards are put on. The interior to be 
neatly and plainly finished. The'bath¬ 
room has closet, tub and bowl. Butler’s 
pantry has copper sink. Kitchen has 
sink, and pump to supply tank in third 
story from cistern. 
The architects assure us that the 
above quotation of cost is not guess¬ 
work, but that they have a builder 
who stands ready to build the house for 
the sum of $3,850, in the vicinity of 
Newark. 
LILY OP THE VALLEY, Etc. 
The Lily of the Valley — emblem of 
happiness and innocence! Dear to the 
hearts of all lovers of nature! The op¬ 
portunity of raising those tiny bells of 
beauty should never be omitted. The 
process of forcing them, that they will 
beautify our homes in the dreary winter 
months, is extremely easy. I have never 
failed once, and I would that those who 
think the garden the only proper home 
for these bulbs would allow them a secluded corner of! 
the window-garden, for 1 am sure they would appre¬ 
ciate them much more as a house-plant than ever be¬ 
fore as a hardy one. I force them in this manner. 
About the middle of December I plant them, allowing 
eight or ten bulbs in a seven-inch pot. As they are 
time after, and keep them at a very high temperature 
by giving bottom heat, which may be accomplished by 
placing in a basin of water and setting them upon the 
back part of the stove, and.keeping the 
water at 100°, 
having 
the soil thor¬ 
Design for Rural Cottage. 
very economical, and will flourish as well in loose, 
sandy soil. I am not as particular in regard to that. I 
leave out doors to freeze well. I bring them in any 
oughly moist. Very soon tiny green 
spears will appear from each bulb. It 
is then time to lower the temperature a 
little each day. After the second leaves 
have expanded, and buds appear, they 
should be removed to the window-garden 
and frequently watered with liquid ma¬ 
nure. The snowy, perfumed bells, in 
contrast with their bright green protect¬ 
ing leaves, will rival many of their gor¬ 
geous companions, and you will surely 
be rewarded for your trouble in the 
enjoyment of their perfect beauty and 
fragrance. After 'blossoming, deprive 
gradually of water and light, and lay 
away in the dry soil to rest until another 
autumn. 
Snow-drops, Crocus, Narcissus, and 
all hardy bulbs, with few exceptions, 
may be forced in the same manner and 
with as much success as the Lily of the 
V alley. 
The Oxalis is a bulb requiring little 
care, as is well known to all flower- 
growers, and there are few small plants 
which furnish us a greater number of 
blossoms than these “gems of Erin,” 
and it gives us much greater satisfaction 
if we allow it complete rest during the 
summer months. I treat it as other 
bulbs, quite similar to Calla Lilies, ex¬ 
cept it does not require forcing by hot 
water. They grow nicely in a north 
window, but they enjoy occasional 
glimpses of sunshine, and if placed in a 
sunny location for a short time each day 
the flowers will appear more rapidly, 
and seem to smile and thank us for our 
thoughtful kindness. Every winter its 
pink and white foliage afford me much 
pleasure. I treat Hyacinths in the same 
way as Callas, and each bulb repays me 
with two or three spikes of immense and perfect flow¬ 
ers. If amply supplied with liquid manure, the bulb 
is very much strengthened and beautified. Ivylin. 
