The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-29
preparing FOR window-Garaen,ng


The desire to grow plants in the dwell
ing is an almost universal one. Some do
it successfully year after year, while with
others the attempt ends in annoyance and
failure. There are many reasons for
failure, but we can at present only speak
OF two of these--beginning too late, and
the selection Of improper plants. Many
put off all preparation for window-gar-
dening until cold weather has actually
set in, when they go TO florists,
order a lot Of plants, and soon find
that they have plant hospital instead of a
source of pleasure. The reason for this
isplain enough. The florist has had his
plants for month or two growing in
greenhouse, where artificial heat and a
moist atmosphere have induced tender
and rapid growth. Taking plants from
such situation into the atmosphere of an
ordinary dwelling is like bringiNga Floridan
to Boston when November east wind is
prevailing. It's not the change of tenn
perature that affects the plants so much as
The difference In light, moisture Of air, and,
Tot the least of all, dust. Again, others
who have plants growing in the open borders
that they propose to take into the houses,
being naturally DESTROYS that the garden
shall remain attractive as long as possible,
allow their plants to remain out until the
last moment, and do not lift and pot them
until the nights become very chilly, if they
do not leave them until frost actually
warns them that their pets are in danger.
10 those who have plants growing in beds,
which they propose to bring in the house,
we would advise them to pot at once.
The plants will be considerably disturbed
at the removal their roots have had free
dom to wander, and generally cannot be
brought within the compass of d pot with
out cutting back. This of course demands
corresponding cutting back of the
top; and the plant must have time to re-
cover before cold weather comes. The
question Of soil is often a great problem.
Any good ,1tesh garden soil or that from be-
meath the sod in pasture will answer for
most plants as well as any Of the prescribed
mixtures. 1t must beso open that it will not
cake hard, and il not naturally porous it
may be made 80 by adding clean sand.
When the plant will bear fertilizing it is
better to apply it in the liquid form than to
mix manure with the soil. The plants being
ported IN good, fresh soil, and properly
pruned into shape, keep them in the shade
for a few days and then give sun gradually.
They will probably be established and
have commenced new growth before the
nights become so cool as to make it
necessary to bring them indoors. The
change from open air to the house must be
made gradually. For some weeks after
the first frost the plants only need shelter
at night Place them in room where
there is no fire, and open the windows
every day until the weather becomes too
cool for it to be safe to do so. Plants SO
treated will be, 50 to speak, acclimated, and
a slight change will not affect them. If
plants are to be purchased from florist,
get them before the houses are closed and
tire-heat is used, and gradually inure them
to the house as just described.
AS to the selection of plants, wide
range is offered, and we will only name a
lew that are quite sure to do well with any
fair treatment. We strongly advise be-
glnners-for whom this article is written,
experienced growers needing no advice
not to undertake too much, nor expect too
much. A few plants with healthy green
foliage are blessing in winter, even if
there are no flowers. If we could have
but one plant for window it would
be an ivy. 1t will grow al
most everywhere; can be trained to
pledse ttie iaiicy, anu Is always Dr1gnC ana
CHEEKY. Among plants for flowers we place
at the head Of the list the Chinese prim-
roses. They are single aud double, aud
from white to deep crimson. With half a
chance they win bloom nearly all winter
long; but don't get plants that have made
forced growth, or they will fail The
Old "Cally Lily" (Kichardiaj is another adj
mirable plant, succeeding with the simplest
treatment. The winter Towering Begonias
Of the fuschioides style are to be COM
mended. The "Crab's Claw Cactusu (Epi-
phyllum), Cycamens, Geraniums, Hello
rope, Carnations, and Catalonian Jessa-
mine, must make list quite large enough for
most amateurs. "But you have not inclu-
ded roses and camlias," says an ambitious
amateur. These two are very desirable,
but among the most difficult to manage,
and their treatment may be spoken Of
another month. Nor haye we mentioned
the bulbs, which are OF the easiest culture.
Directions for the pottiug of these require
q separate ardcle.-Amricdn Apicutu-
raSt.
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