The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-07-09
window Plants.
CHICAGO, Ill.

Some one has requested that l write
something on the subject of window plants in
tended for winter blooming, with some hints as
to the best kinds to get and their treatment l
SHALL therefore, start out as if 1 were going to
select certain plants for myself and give my
readers the benefit of my experience and judg-
ment.
One OF the most constant winter-bloomers Is
the Chinese Primrose Had them in bloom
from last October, and the end is not yet for
some of the precious things seem to say, will
not rest but keep right along in flower. The
ones raised from seed every year are, however,
the most floriferous, and for that reason grow
them from seed the young plants will be ready
to send out in August.
The Bonvarda is another abundant bloomer.
1t likes abundant heat, and the leaves must be
frequently syringed or they Will certainly drop
off with rust Heliotropes are good window
plants, luxuriating in all the sun they can get,
with an abundance of water at the roots.
Gala Lilies may now be allowed to go dry,
retaining them III their pots until September. If
pottod then, they will commence to bloom about
Christmas
The Bromalia makes very pretty pot plant
for fall and winter decoration of the parlor
and by planting few seeds of it. together
with Mgnonette and Alyssum, little nose
this purpose the seed should be sown now, and
at intervals during the summer for succession,
and. as soon as the plants are large enough,
put in small pots and shift to larger as the
plants grow.
All Geraniums are excellent window plants,
and some of them are handsome enough i'll their
foliage, even if they produce no flowers. The
most constant bloomer is Master Christine. but
il is single pink, color which | am not per-
sonally fond Of Jean Sisley, good scarlet,
with large white eye, is great favorite of
mine, and Fanny, with her beautiful bronZed
foliage and monstrous truss of salmon-colored
flowers, is a gem.
Geraniums delight in the sunshine, fair diet,
and moderate supply of water. They require
room TO spread themselves to get the best re-
suits from them.
Certain varieties of Fuchsias are good winter
boomers, and all are excellent window plants.
They are voracious feeders however, and Will
not thrive upon the same diet as Geraniums
will. A liberal quantity of well-decayed must
be given them. They are very fond of sui
phate of ron, and some people put rusty nails
Ill the earth they are growing IN. A correspon-
dent SAYS. having heard the above, she knew
where there was some water standing III an iron
kettle which had been in it for months till
thoroughly impregnated with the iron. She
put cupful of the liquid to pail of water, and
gave her plants taste of 1t occasionally. She
is so much pleased with the result, she advises
all her friends to try 1t.
Tuberoses can be had in bloom during winter
by procuring bulbs from florist during this
month. When received they should be potted
in four-inch pots, and then sunk to the rim in
the garden. In the early fall, for they will not
stand bit of frost, remove to the house. For
succession plant one every week during all
July.
Now / have said considerable about plants
which delight in the sunshine and of course
there will be some required for the shady
places. / have yet to find a better class of
plants for the purpose than the Rex Begonias.
In log basket only fourteen inches long have
two of them, OH which the leaves are sixteen
inches long, and they get absolutely no further
care than abundance of water at the roots and
constant shade. Some people think IT hard to
grow these plants. but il is an erroneous idea.
They increase and multiply very rapidly once
one understands how To grow them, and the
Flowerng Begonlas are capital window plants,
constant boomers, easily grown, and just the
thing for an amateur.
The winter window garden is also much en-
livened and perfumed by the Hyacinth Lily of
the Valley, and other plants which grow from
bulbs TO be planted in the fall. II is too early
TO speak on them in detail at present, as they
will not reach me from Holland before the mid
die of September. Mr.. RENSIE.
AISswoRTH, Iowa.