Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-10-18
HOUSE PLANTS IN WINTER.

James Wick, of Rochester, often gives val |
liable information in his annual catalogue.
In relation to profitable house plants for
winter and how to keep them, he says
"The hyacnth and narcissus, the crocuses
aud early tulips, are especially adapted to
house culture. The Egyptian lily is a favor
ite for the house, and with few geraniums,
etc., will make ii1e collection All the lilies
will grow well in the house, the iongiforium
being the first to flower, the auratum next,
and the Laacitolium sorts last The dicentra,
or bleeding heart, Is so excellent for winter
blooming and keeps so long in flower that it is
iavorite with us. 1t will please every one.
The ivy and madeira vine are fine climbers,
and furnish abundance of delicate foliage
Many plants in the garden that have not be-
come exhausted by overfowering may be
taken up and potted before hard frosts and in
this way collection can be secured at very
little cost or labor. The stock, tropeolum,
dianthus, ageratum, cobea scandeus, are de-
sirablo for this purpose.
Sew plants can endure the high tempcra-
ture and dry atmosphere of most of our liv-
ing rooms. The temperature should not be
allowed to 60 above sixty.6ve in the day time
and not above forty in the night. As much
air and light as possible should be given,
while the leaves should be sprinked every
morning. A spare room, or parlor, or extra
bedroom, is better for plants than a living
room. A bay window, connected with a
warm room, especially if facing the south or
east, makes an excellent place for keeping
plants IN winter. 1t should have glass doors
on the inside, which can be closed part Of
the time, especially when sweeping aud dust
ing. The main thing in keeping house plants
in health is to secure an even temperature, u
moist atmosphere and freedom from dust.
Sprinkle the leaves occasionally, and when
they need water use it freely. If tho green
fly, or aphis, appears, wash with soapsuds fire.
quently, and occasionally with little tobac-
co water, or decoction of quassa chips. II
the red spider comes, it shows the plants are
in too dry an atmosphere. Burn little sui
phur under the plants, the fumes Of which
will kill the spider, and afterwards keep the
stems and leaves well moistoned. Occasional
ly, but not often, worms appear in the pots
This can be avoided in great measure by
careful potting. A little weak lime water Is
; sometimes of benefit in such cases, also five
drops of liquid ANN onia to q gallon of wa
ter, though, perhaps, the better way is to re
pot, removing the earth carefully, so as not t'
ujure the growth OF the plant.
while good many plants can be obtaino'
from the garden for potting for winter flow
ers, the bulbs must be the main reliance, an'
are unrivaled for house culture during tn
winter months. As nearly all can be grow
in so many ways in pots, OF baskets OF san'
i and moss, or in vessels Of hot water-they ar
almost an endless source Ofinterest aud amuse
9 ment in every stage ofgrowth. With littl
. moss from the woods or swamps, few quart
Of sand, some pots, or a shallow box or two
u aud few dozen crocuses, early tulips, hya
y cinths and narcissuses, any one is prepare
= for pleasant little winter garden."'