St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-01-28
Making Window Gardens.
SOME OF THE CONDITIONS OF GROWING
HEALTHY PLANTS.

For growing fine, healthy plants there
are many conditions which must be
preserved. For instance, the tempera-
ture of the water supplied to plants
should be about the same degree as the
temperature of the room in which the
plants are growing; or, if a little high
er, will be n benefit. When water is
given, sufficient should be applied to
thoroughly saturate the soil. A mere
dribble on the surface does more harm
than good, as it draws up what mOis-
tuIe there may be in the soil below,
where it is wet. Plants should not be
allowed to stand in saucers filled with
water. During cold weather watering
is better to be done in the morning, as
then all the supeItluOus moisture gets a
chance to evapOrate before night. On
the afternoons of warm days it is a
great benefit to growing plants to have
their foliage sprinkled. 1t helps to
wash off the dust and keeps the plant
in healthier condition. Cleanliness
with plants is great source of success.
Fresh air must be supplied to plants
as animals, to insure good health. On
all good days give enough to change
the atmosphere of the room. 1t is best
given at the top of the window, as a
circulation is then made without caus-
ing a draught, which, under all condi-
tiOns, avoid. Rather than have the
cold draught rushing through the plants
keep the windows closed, and there will
be sufficient air admitted through the
lOps to benefit them. The temperature
at which plants should be kept during
the winter is lower than a good many
would suppose. High night tempera-
ture to both greenhouse and window is
injurious, the results of which are weak
and slender growths, with but few flow
ers being produced. A temperature Of
- degrees during the night, with 60 to
IS degrees during the day time, is high
enough for most plants. Of course,
there are plants which require a good
deal higher temperature than this but
they are not so well suited for window
culture. The main aim should be a
steady temperature more than a high
one. Pans for evaporating moisture
should be kept on the stoves during Sc
we're weather, when plants are growing
| t not only helps to prevent gas from
having an injurious effect, but modifies
the temperature to a great extent.
The most etfectual way of fertilizing
plants in pots is by applying it in liquid
form. Caution is necessary, however,
not to apply it too strong. Weak and
often is the best method and has the
most beneficial results. A tablespoon
ful of ammonia in two quarts of water
is strong enough for the most vigorous
plants, and has IA wonderful effect upon
most all kinds of plants. Guano is an
excellent fertilizer, but has to be used
with caution. Just sufficient to slight
ly color the water is strong enough to
use guanO in liquid form fer plants.
SCOT makes excellent manure for
plants in pots, if judiciously applied.
1t gives bright green tint to the foil
age, and deeper colOrings to the flowers.
On some kinds of plants-such as by
drangeSs-it changes the color of the
flowers altogether. 1t is difficult to mix
SCOT with water, if put into it loose; but
when tied up into a cloth and then
soaked in the water it can be pressed
out and made as strong as wanted. Only
but small quantities should be used. If
applied strong, it destroys the roots of
the plants like guapO. Pigeon and hen
manupe make good fertilizers for plants,
but the smell is very offensive and OBJ
jectiOnable on that account. If kept in
a barrel, with considerable charcoal
mixed with it, the smell is mostly de-
Stroyed, but caution has to be observed
in its use, as it is, like guanO, very
strong, and injurious to plant life when
used to strong.