The National tribune., 1882-09-28
rs, very truly,
PLANTS IN PARLOR

PLANTS IN PARLOR ---.
The primary difficulty in
dwelling rooms is that of th .ye 8r
of the air. To keep plants
of growth, it is essential that
a degree of moisture in thei s.sr HaFiL
mosphere which is not othe
the rooms of dwelling-hous
Gus expedients that may be el
view the modification of thi 5ge.l
ting the pots in saucers cont on
pots being elevated SO that
will not come in contact with aEJ5
would result in destroying Il
happened TO be an aquatic. ~ 7-et
with clean sand, and the ]
moistened, the pot being plat
a cleanly method of procuril
tons; by extending this met
susface of moist sand is sec
supplying water to the air
ciable. A convenient arran
a ledge of wood above the ed
sized table, lining it and the
the platform with zinc or r
level with the upper surface % "iIn
sand, upon which the pot plants are placed.
This is an exceedingly satisfactory arrange
ment in regard to watering the plants since
any surplus water, either from the surface or
| the bottom Of the pot, is absorbed by the sand
and serves the purpose of supplying moisture
| for evaporation. The foliage can also receive
occasional sprinklings by setting the plants
! closely together in the centre of the table and
watering the leaves through a fine-rosed pot.
The aphis, or green fly, is Oftentmes source
/ - ani their d
dance is a troublesome operation, where the
usual green house method of fumigating with
| the smoke of burning tobacco cannot be applied.
| If only few shoots are attacked by these IN
sects they may be brushed Off with soft
painters brush. A large collection OF plants
! can be kept clear of insects in this manner by
promptly removing the insects as they appear
But when plants become thoroughly infested,
| it may be necessary to sprinkle them with
water in which tobacco stems have been stepped
For this operation the plants should be taken
out of doors, laid on their sides, and drenched
with the liquor, turning them over so that
every leaf may receive portion IL the hrst
is not effective then a second application will
clean the plants.
The watering of parlor plants is usually the
| greatest cause of failure in their management
No definite rules can be given; but the most
important general rule is never to water q
plant until the soil is comparatively dry.
AUTUMN FASHIONS.
In the first place, gros-gran silk is reinstatei
as the standard medium silk of general trade
With its return to favor there have come il
its train host of repped goods-velours, In
Ici1ly Inch vol
velours Parisenne; all manner of repped and
corded fabrics, in fine, both in silk and il
wool, with various names denotlng thei
repped character. Drap de Thibet, an old anC
excellent wooden fabric, is revived, along will
Biaritz cloth, while Irish poplins have at las
lifted themselves from Obscurity. Many o
the new wOoens are brocaded all over will
flowers or figures of silk in contrasting colors
and are intended for wear over plain skirts o
either wool, silk or velvet, just as the fashion
able satines have been worn during the pas
season. Checks and plaids, large and small
are to be found in quantities, and there is
host of striped goods in all qualities-wool
silk and wool, silk, silk and satin, velvet
moire-all possible combinations in fact. Som
of the new cloths are as soft as India cashmer
and drape beautifully. English fashions grow
in favor on this side of the Atlantic, and clotl
dresses, sailor made, are the leading choic
r with fashionable women for the street. Som
} of these are severely simple, depending 70
3 their chic altogether upon their exquisite lit an
3 perfect make; others are elaborately braided
, while others yet are finished with deep Charlie
4 II collars, wide cuffs and borders OF plush o
, velvet.
Braiding will be plentifully used as trim
Q ming for costumes of cloth, vigogne, cashmere
4 and the like, fine braids forming arabesque
4 the edges merely sewn so as to cause them t
0 stand upright like cord. narrow brai
+ sewn on fat somtimes follows the design an
gives more elaborate look to the pattern. Th