Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-03
Preserving Plants In Winter.

employed, and their successful results. OF
course my remarks are intended for those who
garden on small scale and who have not
greenhouses for winter protection. At the
same time, the principles of the treatment
to be described will apply to the largest col
leetions, and may be of service to all whose
object is to secure the beauties of the spring
and summer from the desolations of winter.
Those whose stock of flowers consists of a
few greenhouse plants, which they have cult
waited in windows, have a very easy task to
perform in protecting their favorites,as far as
frost is concerned; for very small amount
of care will suffice when the plants are in a
Westinghouse. The temperature of an &C.
cupied sittingroom will always be sufficiently
high to keep out the frost in the day time
even if the plants are close to the light, and
they may easily be removed in the evening
to that side Of the apartment which is fur.
thest from the window. If the amateur has a
large number of plants young Pelargoniums,
for instance) arranged on shelves close to the
window to remove these would be troublesome,
and they may therefore be allowed to remain
in their places in ordinary frosty weather,
the precauton being taken to interpose the
blind between them and the window. | once
preserved 200 plants in good health through
severe season, in room having only one
large window, which admitted good deal Of
sun. Seine of the pots (Which were all small
Co.'S were planted on narrow shelves, Assem-
ding to the top of the window, and as near
the glass as possible; the others were set on
table. An Arnott stove was lit when re-
quired either by very damp or very cold
weather; air was given as often as possible !;
the whole collection was often moved, that
light might be equally dispensed and advan-
tage was taken of mildrains. succeeded in
preserving the whole, without any sickly
growth being developed, and was rewarded by
having an abundance OF strong plants for
bedding out in the spring. Most of these
were Pelargoniums..
Many plants may be more summarily dealt
with. Cactuses and scarlet. Pelargoniums
will do well in any dry cellar, provided no
water is given them. The latter, when taken
up from the fower-garden, have preserved
by shaking off the soil, and hanging them,
root upwards, in a shed or coach-house, from
which frost could be excluded. In the spring
they were found in full possession Of their
vital powers, and on being trimmed and pot
ted, made handsome plants. In all the cases
to which [ have alluded, it will be seen that
care and forethought are the REQUESTS de.
manded of the amateur. Attention must not
be RENTED for a day. l have always found
that more plants are lost in the winter by
damp than by FROST Much water, therefore,
must not be gvin; indeed it should be alto
gether withheld so long as the plants do moi
flag. A plant in a moist growing state will
yield easily to frost; while if it had been
kept dry and dormant, its powers of resistance
wuuld have been great.
But no plan Of preserving plans from frost
independent of greenhouse, is equal to a
well-regulated pit or frame in the open air
| have tried this in various ways, and always
found it succeed, if properly attended to-
AT the present time, all my plans intended tc
be put into the borders next year, or brought
into the house, are in large two-light frame
the management of which | will endeavor tc
describe. The frame stands about two feet
from the ground sheltered by south wall
on an exhausted hot-bed, on which cucumbers
| were growing in the spring. The mould Of
this bed having been KEEP from rain in the
early autumn, at the close of October the
pots were sunk into it up to the rims. A
double light was then put on, by which wet
and frost are more effectually excluded, and
in the following December the soil around the
pots was quite dry. Around the frame long
stable dung is piled up about eight inches in
width, and level with the top. Over the
whole an old carpet is thrown when neceS-
sary; and | have no apprehension that l shall
lose anything if dampness does not defeat my
efforts. Every day when it is not frosty, air
must be freely admitted, and dead or midew
ed leaves must be carefully removed. When
frost sets in, two or three extra mats may be
laid on, and the whole kept on till thaw
takes place. On no account remove the cov-
ering till at least day after the frost is gone.
This is a very important rule, for the admlss-
ion of light may be fatal if any of the leaves
should be frozen.
When plants arc found frozen in windows,
&C., let them thaw in dark cellar, and they
will often sustain 10 injury. In this way
have preserved Pelargoniums, Calceolarias,
Vorbenas, Hydrangcas, &C.; and the freshness
of the whole collection after the winter has
passed away has always been encouraging
Ordinary greenhouse plants may therefore be
preserved by every one during the hardest
winter.