Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-08
Pabers on Window Gardens.

vi all standard climbing plants for window
Ivy is undoubtedly the best. 1t stands cold
and heat, seems insensible to draughts and
breeze playing round loose SaSheS; is accom-
mOdatlng in its habits, when, while the wea-
ther grows warm, all You have to do is to Shift
it from the pot to the garden near wall or
support, water ii in dry weather. give it as
shady a spot as possible, and it will grow and
thrive until frost. | have now a large plant
climbing to the top or high Old fashioned
window. every here and there fastened to the
wood work with tacks and strip of white
morocco. Every day that is not Storming I
open the window for an hour or SO, a good
way TO harden plants that have not been kept
at too high dollhouse temperature. Occa
sIlonaliy t0r few honsekeepers, especially
those with little folks to look after, can spare
time Tor more than occasional ablutiOnS) the
leaves should be carefully washed on bosh
sides. 1t is perfectly free from vermn or
blight; reJOlceS in strong soil. enriched by
guano, and Kept moist. 1t is less sensitive to
changes OF light than any plant, nor does il re
qUirc much heat.
Several summers go had a large one twinei
round the window of my parlor: Went out OF
the city nearly every morning and did not re-
turn until night. But the plant would not have
it in any room except the parlor the shutters
OF which were kept closed and were of the Old
fashioned style, formed of a large solid piece
of wood, admitting no light and exceedingly
little air. Wien tie doors and shutters s' We're
closed the air came to the ivy only through an
open Fireplace. and except early in the mora
my. dl UleHt. ana Oh the SoDDaIn, IL mad no
light. The heat, too, of the room thus shut
was quite oppressive. The vine of course did
not flourish as it would have done under favor
able circumstances, but il lived and bore this
unnatural treatment. as many neglected chill
dren do. for some time. In early fall ! did
what could to make up Tor past i.l-uSage. A
lady with whom | boarded had carried plant
from place 10 place for seven years. and as she
had the popular pre- udice against air and sun
light in the paror. the ivy grew behind heavy
curtains ut the side OF the window OF course.
it was stunted, While its mistress treated it to
WaterIngS OF ammonia, much the same as stupid
parents have been known to run from one
doctor to another, having iron prescribed by
one and something else by another. when the
poor children We're inSuitcently fed with
fresh pure air. wholesome food. and insult
ably dressed; when windows were closed. the.
binds down and the inmates pale and Schiy.
Now the Ivy belongs to the did vigorous gene
ration which Is dying out, but modern plants
generally, like modern constitutions will not
always bear what did not seem to dSa gree
with their fathers. If small vial of water is
placed behind a picture frame. a young plant
Of ivy can be grown in il if the bottle is kept
full OF water, and SWeetened now and then by
a few bits OF charcoal. 1t roots early. and a
piece thus grown round 4 Statuctte, concealed
III the rear or corner of a bracket. or round an
engraving is very graceful and effective for
no touch should be overlooked or despisel
that Will make home more attractive to hiS-
Dand. wife, parent and child.-[ american
Farmer.