The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-01-02
Horticulture.
SOME sEAsoNApLE HINTS.

SOME sEAsoNABLE HINTS.
By the time these lines will appear in print
the shortest day of the year will have come and
gone, and. as the sun begins to draw nearer
and nearer to us, our plants will feel the influ-
ence of his rays, and shake off their lethargy.
Here and there we see new leaves starting, and
it makes US glad to see the green leaves on our
window-plants when the outside world is 80
bleak and dreary.
Some plants are inclined to grow struggling
and misshaper, especially some of the Fuchsias
and Geraniums. On such ones use the knife
freely. Ii may seem cruel to cut the head
right off favorite Geranium, but it rs for the
best because it will start away from the bot
tom, and give you two or three strong vigorous
shoots in place of long, struggling one A
gentle stimulant, such as few drops of am
mopia in water, or some SCOT water, or
the weak teachings of some hen manure,
may be given about once week. Ii the
little white worms are found in the soil in the
flower pots, use little weak lime water, which
will make the pests come to the surface.
lady wants me to tell her why the leaves
turn black on her Heliotrope. 1t is because
she allows the temperature OF the room to vary
too much. She says her plants are IN q south
window, where the thermometer sometimes
reaches so in the day, and down to freezing or
nearly 80 at night l have repeatedly told
my readers that 20 deg. in the daytime
and not less than So deg. at night is the correct
temperature. Another writes: "The Ambition
Boule de Neige you sent has grown finely, but
now it drops its buds. Am L giving 1t too
much or too little water?" Here the trouble is
too much water and not sufficient heat. She
also ask5 what makes the leaves of the Bego
mia drop of. This is caused by want Of heat
On very cold nightsit will be very well to put
two or three thickncsses of newspaper between
the window-panes and tho plants il any Of
them should get frozen, sprinkle them with
cold water and put them away in cool room
for twenty-four hours.
to Watering for they dry out very quickly in
our hot rooms. Cyclamens and Chinese Prim-
roses will be coming into bloom, and should be
kept as near the glass as possible. The Hoya
or Wax Plant generally blooms the third
year from cutting. 1t likes warm,
moist air, and should have a period of
rest, just like the Gala Lily. Bonvsr-
BILE to rust or drop their leaves, and should be
frequently sprinkled to prevent the disease.
For very early flowers next summer the
seeds of Verbenas may be sown in the house
in boxes, and when the second leaf has formed
transplant them into other boxes.
Save all your coal ashes They will make a
fine absorbent for night slops, and first-class
fertilizer for your beds next spring. Save the
wood ashes also, but keep these dry. For a
! top dressing on an onion or strawberry bed
there is nothing better.
Throw some rotted manure over beds Of
Tulips and such like. Cover the strawberry
beds with straw. Wrap with straw all the
more tender Roses which are to stand out doors,
and, in general, have everything prepared that
they may safely Withstand the winter.
Mr.. RENNIE
AINswoRTH, Washington county, Iowa.