Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-05-23
NY House Plants


was very young when l first began
to keep plants, and though my collec-
ton was small, in my ignorance l sup
posed had nearly all the varieties IN
existence. Then one did not have as
many helps as now, and remember
we'll how much I enjoyed the Floricul-
tural Department in the Rural, and the
weekly letters of daily Rural Life"-
may his shadow never grow less!
Now. that have usually over one
hundred varieties, feel disposed to tell
some of the things have learned by
experience. 1 do not expect to help
those who have greenhouses and all the
modern appliances which wealth can
give, but may aid those who, like
myself, have nothing but farmhouse
and the common conveniences for keep
ing plants. This a great many ruralists
think an objection to cultiyating flow
ers at all, as they dislike to be bothered
with them.
Plants. l find, are like people-hardly
any two are alike and if one would be
successful, he must study their habits,
since what may agree perfectly with
one may be very injurious to another.
III the first place, the kind of soil is
very essential, and l think preparing it
according TO the directions usually
given in books, IS a good deal like
farming by rule-those who make the
rules often know the least about it.
Zonale Geraniums, if want them to
bloom. l keep in small jars, and take
soil for them from under the fence.
shaving off the top, mixing in the small
tibers dug up, and alittle sand out of
the middle of the road. Change the
soil in spring and fall, and if you put
them out in the ground in summer, start
slips to blossom in the spring. l use
the same kind of soil for Pelargonium,
and I think the whole secret of success
with them lies in the use of small jars.
After they are done blossoming, cut
back and change the soil. Fuschias
grow best in the dark soil from the
woods, mixed with little sand, and
they require larger jars. All plants,
grown for foliage, need rich soil and
ample room while those grown for
blossoms want poor usage. You need
not be afraid of cramping their feet; it
will only make their heads develop
better. For Rose Geranlum, Pinks,
Additions, etc, sometimes take part
garden soil and part leaf-mold but for
ordinary purposes, that from the corner
ofthe fence is best. I never bake my
soil Nature never does. If any little
worms appear, put on some lime, and
they will leave. IF the green fly affects
your plants, place them under a box,
and put some tobacco on few Goals
and set these under the box, and let
them smoke little while then shower
with warm water, and the pests will
die an easy death.
Never water plants except when they
are dry, and then water them thorough
ly. I used to kill more plants with
water than in any other way until ex-
perience taught ME to keep them cool
in water. Our ordinary rooms are too
warm and dry. Plants do better kept
| by themselves in a room opening out Of
a sitting-room in which there is stove,
and then keep it cool. Gala Lilies
will bear coal heat, but most plants do
not thrive as well will with it as with
out it. Showering them is great help;
they like to be kept clean, Pick off
dead leaves. Sometimes one plant will
need more water than another, just as
one person eats and drinks more than
another. There are great many little
things they like, such as stirring the
soil, and watching when their clothes
get too small for them which one will
soon learn if he only loves them. You
must be interested in anything you IN
dertake if you would be successful in it,
and this rule holds good if We would
make our homes beautiful with flow
erS. AMELIA.