New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-12-01
Bo.utify Your Ia"lao--Roo1n Plants.


During the cold days of winter, when fields and
gardens are stripped of their foliage and colorng
it is pleasant to witness the care and the taste
which some ladies bestow in the culture of flowers
in their houses. The last number of the Horticul-
turist contains article interesting this topic
from which we select a few extracts for our lady
readers
We should be glad to do or say something to in.
crease the number of those who grow room plants
1t is true that plants cannot be as well grown in
rooms as IN well constructed greenhouse; but,
notwithstanding, there are some kinds that may be
grown and fowered in manner quite satisfactory
and with results highly gratifying. Certain condi-
tons necessary for the best success, and these
it is our object to point out. The greatest obstacle
to success is the dryness of the air; this may in
measure be overcome by a table suitably construct
cd, and the selection of plants best adapted to
dry atmosphere. The table should be the length
of the window, and two or three feet WIDE the
boards being tongued and grooEed. Around the
edge nail strip three inches wide, making the
corners fit tight.
The table is then to be filed with two inches of
clean, white sand. With a table of this kind the
foliage of the plants can be frequently syringed or
sprinkled with water, which keeps them clean and
promotes their health; the drippings and surplus
water are caught and absorbed by the sand and
the floor of the room is thus kept clean; the sand,
indeed, ought to be kept constantly wet, and even
watered for this purpose if necessary. The evapo-
ration from the sand will diifase itself among the
plants and through the room and thns overcome,
in no small degree, one of the chief obstacles to
the successful culture of plants in rooms. The
table should be fitted with rollers to facilitate the
operation of watering and cleaning the plants, and
also for the purpose of moving it back from the
window during very cold nights. The flower.
stands in common use are altogether unfit for a
rooms the surplus water, dead leaves, etc., fall to
the floor, inuring the carpet, and giving the room
an untidy appearance. The table above described
is free from these objections, besides having posi-.
tive advantages for the successful growth of plants
which no ordinary fower-stand can possess.
All rooms do not possess equal advantages for
growing plants. room with large, high windows,
looking to the South, is the best; the next best
is one with southeast or southwest exposure
next, east; next, west; and the least desirable of
all, one looking to any pout north. A large hay
window With southern exposure possesses many
advantages fer growing plants, quite equal in many
cases, and superior in some to those structures ab
surdy called the "plant GabIa 81 unless the
latter be intended for the preservation of dried
specimens, the only purpose for which most of
tkem are fit. 4 basement window with southern
exposure will sometimes answer tolerably well,
bat room in the upper part OF the house is always
to be preferred.
Plants cannot be well grown anywhere or under
any circumstances, when crowded together; it Is
always more satisfactory to grow n lev well than
TO grow many iadiitafenty. During very cold
nights, the table meg be moved to she middle Of
the rooMi and it the plants should unfortunately
get frozen. dafken tile room and throw cold water
oveE them repeatedly till the frost is drawn out,
and then expose them gradually to the light In
ths way We haye saved plants wien the bah of
earth had been frozen as hard as a brick Room
plants should not be brought into the house till the
uights get frosty, and while out OF doors they
should have snnay exposure. Insects should be
locked after and destroyed on their frst appear
ance. little attentionin this way will keep them
free from such pests.
We have heard story that the ladies of the