Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1883-02-01

pot-plans They were moved about indis-
criminateIy where, to put them ''out of
the way as it seemed. If watered once or
twice a week, 1t was with cold stream from
pitcher. Saucers were under them of
course, which, though sometimes dry, We're
oftener filled with offensive stagnant wa
ter. Dead or yellow leaves were allowed
to remain, to intermingle their vitiated juices
with the lite of the stem, and the hard sur
face OF the poor soil was never stirred for
the admission of air to the roots. They
either had too much sunshine, or none at
ALL for days and days; but they would have
long, spells of ventilation in the ''well- order
ed' house-the cold air sweeping over them
in a 'broadSide. .,,o.. w
How could the naturally pretty favorites
thrive. and. in responsive delight, display
their inheritance of beauty?
In the management of plants in rooms it
is not feasible to give them all the care and
attention to details they receive in the for
lists greenhouses or the conservatory. Ma
ture is wondrously accommodating, even
that may suit plants in the humbest dwell
ing. various kinds may grow and bloom
without particular care. ''Experience is the
best teacher" has long been saying of the
wise. My pleasant experience with plants
i'll house windows has suggested the follow
ing directions. which have learned rereat-
edly to observe. and can confidently recon-
mend them to lovers of flowers, in both
country and city homes, of modest means.
You cannot always combine the soil Tor
your pots strictly according to the natural
preference of each particular genus, as flor
lists do; therefore, it is &afe, with few ex-
ceptions, to mix it all alike when potting
them. Good "garden-soil' will always do.
This, of course, is neither sand, clay nor
gravel, but mellow mould-sandy enough
to be loose, clayey enough for compact rich
ness, light with fertile mold which not nee
essariiy must be 'black'' After plants have
grown vigorously some months in the pots,
it may be we'll to remove a little of the earth
ed manure, or simply to water them with
very weak solution of ammonia and water
"a spoonful of the spirits TO three or four
quarts of water, using it a few days only in
succession, taking care not to sprinkle the
leaves.
Always have your pots perfectly clean
well cleansed. or secured inside and outside.
if they have been long used or become in
crusted. Then place few bits of broken
flower pots in the bottom, loosely-pieces
hodlng the plant which has been taken up
from the bed, with one hand, while with the
other gently add and press earth around the
roots quite firmly-not too hard around the
stem in filling the pot sufficiently. Anna
teurs often err in this particular, not press
ing the soil around transplanted plants, or
over seeds of anDuals.
House plants are best pleased with the
forenoon sunshine, but they may please you
by doing well in windows where sun tails
on them only in the afternoon. Do not seek
to give them the sun beams all day.
Keep them out of the saucers mostly. II
your nicety will use saucers, be sure TO wash
them frequently, and, for the sake of the air
in room where you sleep or sit, as well as
for the health of the plants, wash the out
side of the pots occasionally. a few plants
in your sleeping room will not harm you,
but, unless the room is Tentiated at night
you will harm them. Never permit dead
or dying leaf to remain on plant that is
not altogether dying. In trimming stems
or leaves, use sharp knite, not scissors, nor
merely your fingers.
The water, for watering plants, summer
or winter, should be warm enough not to
chill the hand, and should be scattered over
the leaves of each one, or better, thoroughly
sprnkled with watering pot. Unless they
are vigorously growing, do not keep the
ground constantly wet, but if growing at
all. let it nor become likedry sand, nor solid.
Most plants confined in pots like to be
hoed almost as we'll as corn hills. If you
have only hair pin at hand, when you are
watching or admring them, gently stir the
earth with it all around. Do not use any