Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-12-17
grtCutIu Cal.
TREATMENT Of HOUSE PLANTS

The wnrA cf plants cultivated in win.
Ter, are the same rs in summer; they are
heat, moisture, sun and air. Os the l'rs'
hey generally have too nuch; of the 'A,ter
three they rarely have enough. They are
mos. frequently kept in a room heated up
TO 10 barees, which is much too hot. The
great majority Of plants will do better un'
ill they begin to bloom, with heat not
exceeding 45 or so degrees. If you have
q room with windows facing the south or
east. in Which the temperature can be
kept generally at so degrees, and never
fall below 10 degrees. your plants can pro.
badly he kept in good health and condi-
ton. a, far rs heat is concerned.
With regard to moisture, it is more diff.
fculs to meet the wants Of the plants
You may arench the roots with water. but
that is ,ot all they want. They desire a
moist atmosphere, which it is impossible
to give them in room heated either with
. stove or by pipes from hot air fur
mace. If however, your plant room is So
situated that it receives its warmth from
an adjoining room. the communication
with which may be closed at pleasure, the
air may be kept much moister in oil mo-
derate weather. than where they are in a
atovc room. Your plants will need not
only wsterrat the roots, but they will also
require frequent wa,eripgs IT the foliage
which is not only refreshing to them, hu.
also nerves an important purpose in re-
moving the dust with which the leaves
soon get covered, and which greatly OBJ
s,ruc,s the respiration of the plants
Those with polished leaves, such as the
Oraase, Myrtle. Wax plant, p,tos Drum
and the like, should have the leaves fire.
quent,y washed with sponge. In water
ing, some discretion must be used. A 1
plants do not require tho same amount
Those which are in a state If rcst and
consequently not growing, need but little ;
those which are in an active state OF
growth and blooming OF forming flower
buds, need considerable. Tee soil will
! frequently seem to be dry III puts. when IN
. TACT il is not. Nurserymen tell when the
pnts need wssr by striking the pos
~. The knackles. the snand bein. ga;te
different when the earth is moist. ,om
that when dry. Water should never be
allowed IL stand ia the sancers.
AS to eXra>sre 10 suulisht. the plant
stand should be so situated rs to receive
the benefit Of the VIII ,le. The ll,uts
should be rs near tie class as possible
L'gh. is the life Of plants as well as OF
man. When grown in darkness they are
invariably spindling. weak and coiorirss
Air should be given freely Whenever the
weather is mild. The windows should he
drawn down from The top, 50 that the cod
air may not strike directly up'n the
plants.
1t is almost needless TO gay that tho ut.
most neatness should prevail in the plant
room. No dead leaves, stalk or decAyed
h,wer stems should be allowed 70 rem ,n
When requisite, neatly painted wires or
STICKS should be used to support the st. ms
The pots should be we~hed occasionally.
There is no doubt tina, the trouble aud
care Of teudin" plants add greatly to our
enjoyment IF them. Most Of those who
possess spacious grecu houses aud garden
erI to do all the labor necessary therein.
take but little interest in flowers. as com
pared with those whose labor and lime ha.
been lovingly given to the occupation. -
Country Gentleman