Smyrna times., 1881-01-26
Greenhouse and Window Plants.


of the grower of flowers, wheth-
er he has only few pots IN the window
or greenhouse full. AS to watering, it
is oftener overdone than neglected. We
received a note from gentleman who
had followed our directions, and yet his |
plants would not flourish. Happening
near his residence, we called on the writer,
and a glance showed the cause of the
trouble. In every pot the soil was sop
ping wet, in the condition of mud.
Plant life was impossible. In every pot,
for every plant, except an aquatic, the
soil should be so loose-made so, by adj
ding sand-that all excess of water will
drain Off 1t is better to withhold water
until the plants by willing show the need
of it, than to keep up this constant soak
ing. With properly loose soil, daily
watering may be required, but if the soil
is close, do not water until it seems to be
dry aud needs it.
Dust is more injurious to plants than
many suppose. With smooth leaves use
damp sponge or soft cloth, and wipe off
with care. Others may be set in bath
tub or sink, and showered, using fine
rose watering-pot, once a week. Ar
range a screen of light fabric, or even of
paper, to put over the window plants
while the room is being swept, and until
the dust has settled.
Insects are sometimes seen, but often
unsupported as the lack of thrift. The
small, active plant-lice are readily seen,
and are most common. They may be
killed by tobacco smoke, or tobacco water,
but if taken in time, can be kept under
by the use of brush-an old soft tooth
brush passed over twigs will soon clear
them out. So with scale insect if dis
covered, remove it. The insect of all
others that does the most mischief unno-
ticed is the cred Spider" 1t is not g
spider, and is not always red. If house
plant has its leaves turn brownish and
looks unhealthy generally, an examina
ton of the under side of the leaf with ;
strong magnifer will show web over it
surface and exceedingly small, red o.
more generally brown insects. 1t is ont
of the most destructive of plant insects
and yet one of the easiest to get rid of
Wash the under side of the leaves ever,
few days, using an abundance of water
and it will soon disappear. The Meal.
Bug is another pest, often unobserved. /
isusually found where the leaf joins stem
or in the crotch of branch, as whitisl
coloring mass. Pick it out and kill
With carefully tended plants, hand-work
killing the insects whenever found, is a
that is required
Worms in the ball of earth in pot
often cause trouble by compacting tn
soil and leaving channels through whic
water will pass without moistening tn
mass of SOIL When the ball of earth
turned out, the worms are usually foun
on the surface and may be removed
These and other worms, sometimes foun
in pots, may be killed by the use of lime
water. Perfectly clear lime-water may
= used to saturate the earth of the pc
n then in few minutes ordinary wat,
3 should be applied, enough to drive out Q
the lime-water.
r Fertilizers should be applied to hout
plants only when they are ina GROWN
:, state, and in the liquid form. Peruvis
guano is excellent and very neat di
solve teaspoonful in warm water, al
add it to gallon of cold water. Wat
of Ammonia, often called Spirits
Hartshorn, teaspoonful in a quart
water, may be used with good effect.