Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-25
Heating Cases and Propagating Boxes
From OuI Continent

From Our Continent
The amateur horticultural who has no hot
bed frequently feels the need of one, as there
are many plants difficult to start without bottom
heat. We will describe some heating cases
which offer excellent facilities for striking cut
lungs, raising seeds and bringing to rapid
growth plants that are well established. A case
may be made at home; it will be found the
most convenient Of the following dimensions
The form should be that Of q double cube
twelve inches high and wide and eighteen
inches long. concealed tank of zinc
flied with hot water will circulate and re-
tain the heat from twelve to twenty -four
hours without changing the water No lamp
or extra heat need be used. These eases are so
Clearly as to be unObjectionable, while they can
be made, with little knowledge OF decorative
art, very ornamental pieces for the drawing or
sitting-rOOm. The whole framework should be
formed of wood, and the sides and top COM
posed each of a pane of glass fitted into the
frame. One side must be arranged to slide out,
that it may be convenient to place plants within
and for cleaning the glass. The top should be
movable and held by hinges as it will have to
be occasionally lifted to afford ventilation
When the plants are blooming the whole side
may be left open throughout the day. The
woodwork can be of walnut. oak, OF simply
painted pine.
Galvanized iron propagatng boxes are fire.
quently to be found for sale in horticultural
shops. The best are three feet long by two in
width. A shallow boiler the size of the bottom
is fitted in each case; it is filled with water and
heated by lamp flame or sas jet beneath. The
top is glass and may be raised whenever fresh
air is required. thermometer should hang
inside. This is q most useful and simple
arrangement in which to propagate sue
cessfully. The heat can be brought up
as high as desirable, and the person
N will find colf ~, Ynfo
miniature conservatory wherein all the mys-
teries Of propagation can be conveienty
observed. Both heat and moisture are required
for propagation: greater bottom heat than
surface heat is needed. tranquil atmosphere
is also desirable for success. If the heating case
is used in room where the temperature is mild
no glass covering will be necessary, If pots are
used in these little cases they should not be
over two inches in diameter. In spring. which
is the season that artificial heat will be most
requisite, the zinc reservoirs of the prOpagatings
boxes must be filled night and morning. In
cases like the one first described boiling water
must be used, when the temperature in the case
when closed will be from 6Oo to 75o.
Another useful case may be made out of an
old tea chest, which should be cut down one
third: lit into it q zinc pan from four to fl q
inches in DEPTH to hold water. Over the to,
place large pane of glass. In such box
considerable number of cuttings may be raised
with little trouble. The glass top should be
hinged on
SUCCESS WITH HOUSE PLANTS.
1t is frequently asserted by amateurs that
knack or witchery is requisite to be successful
with house plants which they do not possess
There are many persons who apparently take lit
tie pains with their window gardens. yet whose
plants thrive excellently and bloom thro ughout
the season, while with others, who are continually
fussing over the growth in their windows, and
perchance coddling it too persstently, the
result will be yellow leaves and never flower
1t is well to remember that housed plants are
very much like infants-they are entirely de-
pendent for their well being upon the judicO,ls
care of those who nurse them. Ladies very
often fill their windows with fine plants and
then conslgn these to the tender mercies of the
parlOr maid. with instructions to water oc-
caslonally. and possibly to give them breath
of fresh air once in a while. AS matter Of
course the poor things will become sickly and
pine away. when their owner will wonder what
ails them,' and probably declare she "has not
the gift of making plants grow" Now COM
mon sense, careful judgment and only little
attention is requisite to have windows full of
bloom and stands covered with healthy, thrifty
plants Those who do not love them well
enough, however to give them personal care
need not expect to keep them in first-rate con-
ditiOn.
Do not expect too much Of plants. You may
purchase one that is just entering upon its sea-
son OF rest, when nature requires it to remain
dormant If it shows no inclination to put forth
new shoots all there is to be done is to keep it
clean and water it moderately. During it's
period OF rest the plant needs much less water
than when it Is active. Frequently plants are
purchased just as their foliage is at maturity
when within short time they will wither and
droop. This is particularly the case with
maiden hair ferns, which are the finest Just
before their fronds shrivel. A lady brought to
florist the other day the most pitiable look
ing ddaanetaa,,, which she had purchased but
week before, when it's quivering. wiry stems
hung luxuriant with rich, green, lacey foliage.
She Indignantly inquired if THAT was the kind
of plants he kept" Like many others selecting
ddld,tanis she had picked one out for its beauty
when just at its full maturity. Very soon its
leaves began to turn, when it dropped and GER
tainly presented most detected appearance.
Had its owner but cut off the limp frOnds and
bore patiently with her fern in a few weeks it
would again have uncurled fresh fans of foliage
to tremble with every wave of air.
Fresh air and moisture all plants must have
and the majority of them wi not thrive without
light and sunshine. House plants are usually
kept too warm A temperature from $50 to 100
Is better than warmer for the varieties gener-
ally cultivated in windows. Give them air. but
never expose to draught which is disastrous.
If fresh air can be admitted from an adjoining
room 1t is safer than to open the window at the
top. Never lift them from the bottom in winter
AS a rule house plants suffer from lack of mOis-
where there is furnace heat and gaslight. 1t is
very good plan to set pans Of water on the
plant stand, and to fill the vases in the room
with water. This makes a healthier atmosphere
for people as well es plants. 1t is often the
case that the only person in the house who will
have blossoms on her plants will be the cook,
whose windows will be gay with roses and gera-
NUNS, because the steam from the boiler and
kettles will provide the desirable moisture.
1t Is an injurious habit to pass among the
plants daily with watering pot and drown
them out. The best guide to their demands in
this matter is the soil, which should he thor
0ughly wet when dry. Watering should not
then be repeated until the indications are that
the plant is thirsty. But be quick to respond
when there is the signal. for a day Of drought
will set back growth and bloom. The water
used should be Of the temperature Of the room.
otherwise the plant win be chilled.
1t is highly important to keep the foliage of
plants clean, not alone for their beauty, but
their health's sake Wash the leaves inside, as
well as outside. as often as they are dusty. A
soft sponge and tepid water are the best for this
purpose. To polish ivy leaves or those of palms
and rubber trees, use soft tissue paper. It will
make them like satin. Every day pick off any
dead leaves or twigs, as these but interfere with
the strength Of those alive. Blossoms should
1.E l.