Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-01-06
Agriemltnrat
Indoor Gardening.

! LII DOO1 ~ Oh SASh4A5s
At this bleak season, outdoor gar
dening is Of course oct of the question
Where but recently bloom of beauty
greeted the eye. we now look only upor
frozen ground, covered perhaps with {
sheet of snow, and there are ouly driet
broken stems, with here and there few
evergreen shrubs But the "gude house
wife'-to whose care the Hover garden
and borders generally owe their chief at
fractions in summer-has, we trust
foreseen the present season, and provided
for it. Her floral pets have not all been
left to die at the first approach Of the
/ frosts of autumn. We have visited
many dwelling. where. neatly arrang
ed upon shelves or stands-an economi-
cal and convenient form of which is q
quarter circle IN the corner-were rows
of pots containing choice verbenas pc.
tunias, salvias, pelargor.iums, begonias,
cinererias, fuchsias. callas, carnations,
cactuses, abutilons, camelias, tender
roses, pots and glasses of Towering
bulbs, while near them were tubs con-
tanning the orange, lemon and o 'eander,
suggestive of the green house itself
These have already commenced a vigor-
Gus growth, and flower buds, even, may
be seen upon some Of them. Our pres
ent purpose is to give a few directions
for tLeir management, while the frost
king is holding external vegetation in
check, and even disputng the possession
in the house itself.
1t must be kept in mind that to -four
ish well, all kinds Of plants need air,
moisture, warmth and light. The living
room contains AN atmosphere combining
these four requisites, and in which
plants will thrive. A little extra atten-
ton should be given to ventilation. wncn
plants are kept in a room, for these con-
sumo portion of the oxygen, as well as
human lungs, fires and lights.
Where a c'osc stove is used. the up
per sash Of the windows should be tre-
quently lowered. to admit fresh air as
well for vegetables, as human health and
life but chilling draft, when sur
rounded with heat, is alike injurious to
both. The ordinary temperature Of the
room will suit the growing plants. pro-
yIding only that this warmth is Kept up
during cold nights. The windows will
afford sufficient light. although the ten
dency of growing plants to incline to-
wards the strongest light is such that the
pots may net d an occasional turning to
keep the shoots in an upright POSITION
Almost every one has observed this in
cination IN plants to lean towards win
dow, and ii not frequently turned, the
stems will be qnite crooked.
The pots should have saucer appen-
dage to stand in, that no water escape
upon the floor. The water-whch
should be of the temperature of the
room-may be poured into the sauccrs,
and will be "sponged' up through tie
hole In the bottom of the pct. Begin
ners in this kind of gard ming are apt to
use too much water. Bear in mind that
the earth is not kept soaked with rain,
the flower borders Of the garden often
appearing quite dry, although the pants
thrive we'll 70 immitate the outdoor
dews. sprinkle upon the foliage occa-
sionally through fine water pot sprink
ler1 o. syringe. the common practice
Of throwing upon plants little water,
every now and then, as may happen,
packs the surf, &C earth, keeps out the
air, aad is every way injurious.
Every thing should be kept neat and
c c'ean, busting the folage. removing de-
cayed leaves, moss and weeds, and pinch
ing the leading shoots SO as to form a
compact bushy head. The surface of the
soil should not be allowed 10 bake or
crust. Pick it over with a sharp stick
or knife. If any plant lagS, give an oc
casional Watering with one pound Of gu
ano to five or eight gallons OF water
If z .ano is not at hand, some of the
liquid running from the manure heap.
may be usel. If it's not quite weak,
add water enough to render it so; ii
should BE- only of brownish tinge not
very d ,rk colored, II this does not
have the desired effect, cut back to a
hiSaN otNOs uA'A ~ ~ NblliE bAh AliNN
A wet soft cloth is the best thin1 to re-
move dust from the foliage. Besides
leaving lively : loss upon them, it i'm.
parts grateiul moisture quite beneficial
to the plant. american Agricultur,St.
-
SHERIDAN KNOWLES IN THE PULpIr.
a foreign correspondent Of the Christian
WatchmaR, writes that being on recent
visit to London. aud seeing it announced
that Sheridan Knowles was to preach he
went to hear him. He says:
"Iou are aware that he was formerly
play-actor and play-wrter, also that a
few years since he was converted, united
with the Baptist denomination. and be-
came preacher. He is an older person
than | anticipated seeing; should think