The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-12-18
House Plants ian winter,

EaOAse A'iInaS An w inter.
"W hat is the reason that my plants
do not grow so well as Mr.. Jones's /
am sure | take a Great deal more pains
with them, and water and nurse and air
them, but all will not do; they are weak,
slender, sickly, and some of my best
plants have died-whle Mrs. Jones
seems TO take very little care Of hers,
and yet they grow and bloom beauti-
fully"
This appeal to US for aid and advice,
which has just been made, is not the
first complaint of this kind of Tissue
cess. The truth is, some plants are ac-
tually nursed to death. Care and at
tention bestowed on plants, arhich they
do not nccd; is worse than no care at all.
1t is knowing ust what to do, and do
ing that and no more, that gives some
persons their success. Or, as late
writer remarked, there are too great
points to be attended 10; first, not to let
your plants suffer by neglect; and sec
ond, not to make them suffer by inter-
ference. We would lass the requisites
for good treatment as follows:
/. Plenty Of light.
2. A due supply of water.
3. Proper temperature.
Fresh air, cleanliness and good soil
are obviously of importance, but are
less likely to be neglected than the three
first named wants, and we shall there
fore add few additional remarks I'M
these heads
l. Light.-Plants cannot by any pos
sibility have too much of this. The
stand should therefore face the window,
and be placed a, near to it as practical
Bile; and the window should be broad,
as little INSTRUCTED by outside trees as
the nature of the base will admit But
RAPIDLY growing plants require most
light; hence should be placed more d.
rectly in front OF the window.
2. Uater.-This must be given ac-
cording TO circumstances. A plant in
nearly dormant state needs very lit
tle-those in rapidly growing condi-
ton require considerable. Too much
water will make the latter grow slender,
but they will bear a greater supply ifln
a strong light. 1t must be remembered
as a standing rule, that dormant plants
may remain comparatively in the dark,
and with little water; and growing ones
should have good supply of light and
water. But it must not be forgotten
that greenhouse plants generally are
nearly dormant during winter, and the
soil must therefore be kept but moder.
ately moist, as the plants in this condi-
ton do not pump any moisture from the
soil, and little escapes directly by evap-
oration.-Drainage; by filling one fifth
Of each pot with charcoal, is of import
anCe.
3. 7emperature.-Many house plants
are destroyed by too much heat, which
increases the drvness, and both those
causes together, are more than they can
endure. A cool room never as low as
freezing, is best. From 80 to So de-
grees is much better than s. to 70, the
ordinary temperature Of living rooms.
Swinging the foliage with tepid wa
ter, to wash off whatever dust accumu-
lates, is of use; and the admission of
fresh air, when there is no danger of
chilling or freezing the foliage, should
not be neglected.-.4lbany Cultarator.
WILD HoGs.-In the Census returns,
in giving some facts connected with the
introduction Of hogs by the colonists Of
Virginia, ii is stated that many OF them
went wild, their progeny becoming so
numerous and dangerous that it was
necessary to hunt and kill them as beasts
of prey.