THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET AND PICTORIAL HOME COMPANION. 
How can I grow window plants i is a question 
we are often asked. 
From the many failures, success may bo thought 
difficult, but this is by no means the case. There 
are certain requisites which must bo supplied, 
certain rules wc must observe; those done, suc¬ 
cess is ensured. 
First, wo must remember that our plants must 
be chosen from a somewhat limited class. Anj' 
plants requiring a high temperature or a very 
moist atmosphere, arc unsuited for window gar¬ 
dening. Again, exclusively summer blooming 
plants are undesirable, as our object is to have 
bloom and not to use our windows only to winter 
plants for the summer. 
Light is of primary importance, and where 
this cannot be given in abundance it is useless to 
attempt the culture of flowering plants. If pos¬ 
sible, the window should have the morning sun, 
one hour of which is worth two of the afternoon. 
Fresh air is as ncce.ssaiy to a phant as to an 
animal, but cold draught should be avoided. 
Watering must bo enough to be beneficial. 
The usual practice is to daily dribble a little 
water over the surface of the pot; the result is, 
the roots of the plant never get si full suppl}', and 
while the surface is wet the middle of the ball of 
earth is often dust-dry. 
Another, though far less common, mistake is 
saturating the plants and allowing the pot to 
stand in a saucer of water. The only plants 
thriving under this treatment arc Calla Lilies 
(Richardia), and even for these it is unnecessary. 
The proper mode of watering is to thoroughly 
saturate the earth from one to three times a 
week, according to the sun exposure and the 
nature of the plant. Allow all water not ab¬ 
sorbed by the earth to drain off, and, to ensure 
this, be sure that the drainage of the pots is se¬ 
cured in potting. Dust should not be .allowed 
feather duster, by sponging or showering. 
Gas light should not be used in rooms where 
plants are grown; the unconsumed gas which 
always escapes into the atmosphere, in a greater 
or less degree, is injurious to the plants, which 
seldom thrive if exposed to its influence. 
Furnace heat is objectionable, although with 
a little attention to keeping the atmosphere 
moist by evaporations of water, and to ventila¬ 
tion to allow the escape of any gas, good results 
may he obtained in furnace-heated rooms. 
Some object to growing plants in the parlor be¬ 
cause the necessary watering spots, and.the sun 
fades, the carpet. To the latter objection wi 
say, let the carpet be faded; we believe in sun¬ 
light; in letting it into every possible window; 
in irradiating the whole house; and were the 
practice universal of .flooding our houses with 
health-bringing sunbeams, we should hiive fewer 
doctors’ bills to pay. The former objection we 
have avoided by growing all our plants in hollow 
tables. These are of simple construction and 
can he made veiy cheap, or are susceptible of 
any expensive ornamentation. The)' should be 
the length of the window, wide enough to hold 
two rows of good sized pots, and nine inches 
deep. A zinp pan should fit close into the table, 
the edges of which should turn and lay upon the 
top,of the sides; the legs should be on castors 
for convenience of moving. Such a table of 
black walnut, with zinc pan, will cost about ten 
dollars; and of pine, or any common wood, could 
be made much cheaper. Plants in these table.s 
can be freely showered; by raising the pots a 
little from the pan, free drainage is obtained, and 
the constant evaporation of any water in the pan 
supplies moisture to the atmosphere. 
In showering plants the pot should be turned 
on the side, and both upper and under surfiices 
of the folia^ thoroughly wet. In washing, a 
soft cloth or sponge should be used with warm, 
weak so!ip suds; where, however, plants are 
hard wooded, or have thick foliage, a soft brush 
may bo employed. Kerosene, which the news¬ 
papers have lately recommended for destroying 
insects on plants, is very effectual in killing both 
insects and plants. 
In watering, we have used warm water with 
great success. As a rule, its temperature should 
be that of the atmosphere, but wc have frequently 
used water which felt very warm to the liand, 
with favorable results to the growth of the 
plant. 
Where light is not given on all sides, frequent 
turning of the plant will ho necessary to prevent 
it from becoming drawn and one sided. 
Insects will seldom trouble house plants, if 
they are well washed and showered. 
The surface of the soil in the pots should be 
frequently stirred, to prevent its becoming caked 
and sodden; this, also, affords air to the roots, 
■which is beneficial. 
Manures arc seldom needed by house plants, 
if the projier soil has been used in potting; if 
given, they should bo in a liquid form. 
Some of tlio most suitable plants for parloi' 
culture arc. Pelargoniums (commonly called Ge¬ 
raniums), in their various species. Monthly and 
China Roses, Daphne, Camellias, Oranges, Abu- 
tilon, Cytisus, Cyclamen, Chinese Primroses, 
Begonias fnot (ho folingod species), Tropaeolum, 
Stevias, Smilax, Palms, Oxalis, Hyacinths, Nar¬ 
cissus, Heliotrope, Petunias, Azaleas. This list 
may be much increased, and a future paper may 
continue the subject more in detail. 
Gkn Sidge, Dec., 1871. 
HRS. SABGEANT'S VERANDA. 
BY ELIZABETH CABTER. 
While enjoying a visit at the home of .an aunt, 
I have several times been tempted to photograph 
some of her floral treasures for tlie benefit of 
those who are trying to do ivliat she has so ad¬ 
mirably accomplished. Propriety forbids me 
from giving her real name, or to tell ivhere she 
lives; she would shrink from even that mueh 
publicity, but I trust she ivill not reprove me foi- 
giving you a peep at some of her arrangements, 
and telling of lier wonderful success, which may 
prove suggestive to others, and aid them to make 
their own homes attractive. She has done much 
to develop a love of flowers in her immediate 
neighborhood, and if the result of h^fclmr and 
'iliC ii Tm it-uee 
widely known and felt, it would be a public 
blessing. 
As I escort you from the gate to the house, 
please observe that bed of Gor.aniums on the 
right. Tliey ai-e mostly intense scarlet, with 
now and then a cherry, a rose color, a salmon 
or a pure wliitc, while interspersed witli the 
wliolo are some foliage plants—the Cineraria, 
Centaurea and Coleus. We will not tarry to 
look at that clump of Cannas still further on, 
the Ricinus full ten feet high, or the' gorgeous 
Salvia in the distance, nor yet at that bed of 
Asters with their exquisite shading, neither at 
the Lilies, though they delight us ivith their 
odors, for I desire to show you the climbing 
plants at the veranda. 
Upon a tw'ine lattice, between two pillars, you 
will see a fine display of Maurandia—two varie¬ 
ties—purple or blue, and pink. For delicacy of 
vine, for beauty of foliage and of flower, for good 
habit, vigorous growth, hardiness, and, indeed, 
all the essentials of a fine climber, I have never 
seen anything equal the Maurandia. It forms a 
thick screen, from the gi-ound to the roof, twines 
gracefully around the columns on either side, 
and by stepping within you will see that it has 
been tiained across the ceiling and runs off to 
the window adjacent, as if in search of a new 
object to embellish, while the long branches or 
sprays, laden with flowers, are thrown off from 
every part of it. It is literally covered with 
bloom, from the roots upward, and in looking at 
it this morning, wo concluded that it was hand¬ 
somer than aught else, of the kind, that had ever 
gladdened our sight; and yet these are only 
seedlings that make this fine, show, having been 
started in the window about the first of March, 
and planted out at the time for bedding plants. 
They have made a growth of twelve, fifteen, 
twenty feet, and commenced blooming when 
they were four or five feet high, and from that 
time to this they have been a continual joy, and 
will remain such until severe frosts shall destroy 
them. I think the Maurandia is not generally 
cultivated so as to become thus effective; some 
of our florists put its capacity for climbing at six 
or eight feet. Could this display of it bo scon by 
flower growers generally, I doubt whether the 
seedsman, who supplied Mrs. Sargeant, would 
ho able to fill his orders another year. Some 
climbers, like the English Ivy and the American 
Ivy, do not seem to need much nutriment, but 
all plants of lilts sort are gross feeders—they 
need rich soil and plenty of water, sometimes 
enriched with fertilizers. If this is kept in mind, 
there will not often be a want of success. Stand¬ 
ing inside this screen is a low jar of tuberoses, 
and how lovingly the fragrant clusters, creamy 
white, mingle with the red and blue of the 
creeper, ns if in patriotic sympathy. 
As wo pa.ss on, you will find one pillar of the 
veranda wreathed with Madeira vine, another 
with scarlet Honeysuckle, and a third with the 
sweet scented Monthly Honeysuckle, while pots 
and vases of elegant plants are disposed here and 
there with rare t.astc and wonderful eflbct. Say 
what we will of bods of flowers, which arc very 
desirable, nothing is more elegant than a single 
plant B'cll grown. There is the Lilium Auratum 
(a little belated, it ought to liave bloomed a 
month ago), how magnificent it is! and the 
rubrum near it, is almost its equal. What can 
be finer than that great vase of fiischias? and 
the fine cut geranium and tea-roses that com¬ 
plete the group ? 
Come to the extreme end of the veranda on 
the north, and I U'ill show you the Adlumia or 
Mountain fringe; delicale vine, is still another 
name. It is very properly in the shade, the hot 
sun burns the blossoms, making them unsightly. 
This is a raijid climber, e.xceeding all others in 
delicacy of foliage. It is very beautiful as it 
runs along the cornice, and here, also, where it 
has been brought inside and made to drape the 
white ceiling of the house. It is especially u.se- 
ful to mix with cut floivers. Take a gladiolus 
for instance—JIadara Furtado or La Favorite— 
one spike is a bouquet of itself; wind around it 
this Mountain fringe, letting the delicate sprays 
float off loosely, and you will hold in your hand 
one of the richest gifts that Flora has ever be¬ 
stowed. I h.ave often seen it used to embellish 
pictures, and brackets with Parian figures, the 
sub ends being kept in vases, concealed or other¬ 
wise; indeed, there is no end to the charming 
devices or exquisite designs in which the Adlu- 
is made to do a conspicuous part. It is a 
quires, 
I must show you one more plant—a Mexican 
climber—the Coboea scandens, which delights in 
the sun’s hottest rays, and in the race onward 
and upward defies all competitors. It was 
planted against the house, one or two strong 
plants on each side of this little portico, about 
twelve feet long. When I saw JIrs. Sargeant 
making preparation to accommodate this plant, 
running the twine from the ground to the roof 
of this tu'O story house, and continuing it across 
the brackets till from each side it reached the 
center, and tvas tied together, I was somewhat 
amused and very incredulous. I thought tho.se 
several strands not very ornamental, and to re¬ 
main naked through the season would bo a too 
palpable miscalculation. But when the plants 
were fairly established, they began to reach out 
their tendrils and stretch upward. I watched 
them with keen interest; they grew rapidly and 
branched out into this rich lu.xuriance, and then 
began to blossom. You see its flowers are large, 
finely shaped bells, first assuming a delicale ser.- 
green color, and then changing to a brownish 
purple, the former very strongly reminding one 
of the immaturity of youth, and the latter of the 
gravity of age, while the tendrils are emblemati¬ 
cal of all human sympathies. I began to think 
the accommodations none too ample, for up and 
up it ran, faster and faster, as if some fell spirit 
from the earth were pursuing it, and at last it 
reached the roof, and the vines ran horizontally 
toward one .another on the twine fiom either 
side, and at last met in most fraternal embrace, 
twined and intertwined with one another, and 
blossomed abundantly, the bells hanging under 
the roof on their long stcnis, as. they now do, in 
greatest profusion Sly incredulity was gone, 
and Sirs. Sargeant’s triumph was complete. 
If, in this capacity of showm.an, I have pre¬ 
sented things tvorth seeing, things, in some cases 
dclighful to look upon, easy of culture, and which 
have invested a plain, unpretentious dwelling 
with regal beauty, and the charm of artistic 
.adornment, rest assured that what has been done 
here in this place may be done by you at your 
place, if you make an application of similar 
knowledge that W'as made here, and labor as 
earnestly for the result. 
CHAT WITH CORRESPONDENTS. 
BY “daisy BYEBRICIIT.’ 
C. S. G. writes: “I am passionately fond of 
flowers, and welcome the “Floral Cabinet” 
with joy and delight. I find myself very igno¬ 
rant of botany. What treatise can I obtain on 
that delightful science, which will give me in¬ 
struction in the simplest manner?” 
Botany. 
We would recommend to C. S. G. the text¬ 
books of Prof. Gray, of Ilaiward College, Cam¬ 
bridge, Mass., whose avritings upon bot.any take 
precedence of all others in the United States. 
“ liotany for Beginners ” (we think that is its 
title) is the book you would probably prefer at 
first. 
Green Lice. 
L. B. R. is greatly troubled with green lice on 
her roses. If the gentlemen of the house smoke, 
a few whiffs from cigar or pipe will quickly 
make the intruders fall. They can then be ban- 
i.shed by scraping them up from the surface of 
the pot, as the tobacco only stupefies them— 
never kills. Frequent showerings or washings ' 
will keep them away; they are foes to cleanli-' 
ness. If they cover your plants, you may be 
sure that you have not attended to this groat, 
requirement of plant culture. 
Diadem Pink. 
An inquiry comes concerning the culture of the 
Diadem Pink, wliich is offered as a premium for 
the “ Floral Cabinet.” 
“ Will it bloom in-doors from seed; if so, how 
.shall it be treated ?” 
It will, doubtless, bloom in the winter, if 
sowed early enough in the summer to become 
well rooted and thrifty. Seed sown in August, 
in a light, sandy loam, and the plants left 
three, four or five inches apart, planted either in 
boxes or large pots, ten to twelve inches in di¬ 
ameter, would probably bloom in December or 
•January, if placed in a sunny location, and well 
sjn-inkled and aired. It is a perennial, will live 
out of doors the first winter in almost every 
locality, without covering, if its roots are not j i 
exposed to dampness, but if water or ice settle ‘ 
about them they will certainly die. 
To bloom freely and flourish well in-doors, it 
would require a weekly allowance of liquid 
manure to keep the stalks and flower buds in a 
it is better to k( ^ _ 
or to plant in bo^^lir pots m I 
piazza garden in th^oming summei. 
Roses. 
An inquirer asks— 
“ IVliat is the meaning of Monthly Roses, and 
Perpetu.al or Reinonlant ? ” 
“ What roses shall I plant, for constant bloom¬ 
ing, from June to October?” 
The Jlonthly Roses embr.ace at least four sub¬ 
classes : Tea, Bengal, Bourbon and Noisette, and 
are easily distinguished from the Remontants by 
their delicate, glossy leaves and stems. 
The Tea are of slender growth and delicate 
colorings, and are characterized by their delicious 
fragrance, from whence come their name. 
The Bengal are veiy free bloomers, and, with 
good treatment, will bloom through the summer 
months, but lequire gi'cen-house culture to be¬ 
come ever-blooming, although the Daily Rose, 
so well known .at the South, blooms constantly 
for many months in succession. 
The Bourbon class has very large and double 
flowers, and comprises an extensive variety. 
They bloom from spring to fall, but are not often 
in monthly bloom unless duly pruned after the 
first flowering, and well manured. Roses are 
gro.ss feeders, delighting in the richest of com¬ 
posts composed of thoroughly decayed cow or 
horse manure—so decomposed that you can 
crumble it in your fingers—mixed with leaf 
mould and good, sandy loam, two parts of the 
first two named, to one of the loam. 
The Noisettes are .all climbers, although not 
growing so r.ampant as the Prairie Roses, etc. 
They flower in clusters and, in the Southern 
States, will bloom nearly all winter, and are 
mo.st valuable for such locations. 
For winter flowering, in window gardens, the 
Tea Roses are better than any other class, as 
they force more readily. 
The Perpetuals or Remontant Roses are not 
rightly named, as they bloom but little after the 
reguhar season of .spring flowering, unless the 
flowers .are cut off directly and the plant closely 
pruned, thus allowing fresh growth to start from 
the roots. Their foliage is rough, and their 
shades from purest white to darkest crimson. 
They are hardy as far north as New York, and 
live out in New England when covered with 
sods. For blooming from June to October, we 
should plant. 
Agrippina, Bosanquet, Bourbon Queen, Louis 
Philippe, Hermosa, Pierre St. Cyr, Mad. Morel, 
Psyche, Paxton, Duchesse Thuringe, Souvenir, 
dela Malmaison, Sombriel. The Monthly Rose is 
a native of China, where it is evergreen and over¬ 
blowing. 
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