The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-04
Our Plants in Summer, and Pre-
parations for Winter.
BY CAPT. benson.

By CAII. DENSoN.
At this season most lovers of green
house plants have moved the stock out
for open-air life until the fall, which
is good practice If we do not thereby
neglect them. and trust to fortune to
find everything right when we go to
give them winter quarters once more.
MULCHING.
What shall we use as d mulch for
the pots when set out in troughs or
boxes, or large shallow pits? The best
article probably is coal ashes, from
which the large Jumps have been re-
moved by sitting. 1t will prevent the
roots from growing through, and it is
severely let alone, SO far as insects are
concerned.
1t is important if benches are used.
on which to place pots of plants with
out mulchings, that they be arranged
in a spot allowing shade from the hot
western sun of the afternoon, and fire.
quently watered. The foliage should
be freely syringed, especially in dusty
weather. One of the Fountain Pumps,
or the numerous other styles Of garden
pumps will answer A very nice
article will be found in Bickford's
Double Acting Garden Pump, which
is small, very cheap III price, (only
seven dollars we believe,) and keeps
up a constant stream, the hose being
duly supplied with water.
HARD-wOoDED PLANTS.
Azaleas, Camellias, Acacias Of the
tender sorts, and the h~ard-wOOded
plants generally, will be found to yield
the best results when 50 placed that
the roots enjoy a moist soil, kept cool
by proper mulching while the foliage
is exposed to sufficient sunlight, to in
sure the setting of a full supply of
buds for winter bloom. The buds are
now forming. AT this stage a moderate
supply of manur water will increase
the vigor of the young wood, and aid
materially in increasing the number
of buds.
If they are watered in the morning,
the sun strikes the leaves while
wet. and bad blisters are formed that
remain as long as the leaf lasts. Let
the watering be done about sunset.
Lime water well diluted, will drive
out earthw-orms, and may be used
to advantage occasionally through the
- - 1000 &c n-n, ,l,nt, 1l-~
oranges, oleanders, &C., that have been
long in their tubs or boxes. Copperas
water will be useful also ia the case of
the orange, growing in soil that has
long been unchanged.
PLANTS DOORS
MAY be kept in health under glass by
whitewashlng the glass, and with
ample supplies of air. There are many
of the finer varieties that only display
their beauty under this partial protec-
ton from the full glare OF the sun,
which scorches and destroys the ex-
uuisite texture and tint of the surface.
Nor will they do as we'll with heat in
the winter. The moisture, heat, free
air and brilliant but tempered light
seem to be neediul to replace the
tropical climate that is their home.
Among these are such climbers as
Cissus disc lor and CiSsus argente
plants of such exquisite beauty that
each leaf seems 20 have been the work
oi All artist. AMI no TWO are alike, Pas
sit.o.a tI.taaciata, with its tri-Iobed car
I.iI.v Ipua green, and all the delicate
cl~.,noers. But in the open sun, out OF
doc. the1 lose their color and deli
cac>. and become dull and valueless
lur urauly > sake.
So also the better Caladiums. and
especially the Alecasias, the Marautas.
Anti. arium>, and such foliage plants.
suffer badly, aud should not be re-
moved from the glass. Nothing can
exceed the wonderful beauty of such
Marantas as Makoyana, Bella. and
those of that class. The large ex-
panied and gracefully rounded leaf,
whe, observed toward sun light. seems
made of a transparent silk, with col
ored figures inwrought like som rare
piece of Japanese handiwork. Visitors
to the Centennial will perhaps remem-
Der some lovely specimens in the
rather retired room devoted to Veitch.s
collections on the north and west side
of the Horticultural building.
There are a number, too, of the best
Towering plants that must not be tx
] posed to the summer sun. GleXinias