The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-20
Horticulture.

tLe green covering or sO-called moss
| Whlcn accumulates on plant pots is al
ways injurious to the plant. 'Abright
pot makes healthy plant" is the gar
dener's rule. This green covering is
an al ga, a plant closely related to the
sea weed. 1t acts much in the same
way as glazing would act in stopping
the pores of the pot and allowing mo
circulatlon Of air. y 1t should he scrub
pea OH as often as it appears with sand
ana water. In setting plants make the
ground mellow and rich with manure
Tor considerable space around where
the roots are placed, so they may have
chance to reach out. The roots
siou'o tm nave E ample room; do not cramp
Them. When the earth is we'll drawn
up around the plant, place your feet
tGaatolllly taa OH each side Of it, and "flrm'
Cne earth down solidly. This will
greatly Increase tho chance Of its living.
tls IL prevents the soil from drying down
10 the roots. Begonias i'm summer
Should have Il cool, shaded sit,ntion
The best plan wo have ever seen adont-
ed was u small lattice house. made an
tlrely out of laths placed halt an inch
apart, sides and top alike; benches we're
arranged Oh either side, tho same as in
an ordinary green-hollse: uDon these
The plants were placed, and all the in
terstices filled with sphagnum. Thero
the plants thrived most luxrriantlv. wa
nave never seen greenhouse plants in
summer look better, il as well. Not
only was this the oongenial home of tho
Degonia, but all kinds of ferns. coleus
ana many other plants grown expressly
tor exhibition purposes were hero to he
seen Ill the best possible condition.
Ihls was the work of an amateur. and
when his plants were placed besides
tllose OF tho professional florist, the
laCtor was completely used up.
Care should bo taken to see that plants
III pots are given good drainage. This
is best secured by putting a LOT, of
broken Dicks Or pieces of broken poty
II! The bottom OF the ilower-pot. THESE
pieces should be as large AS q h;lZel-nut
or even larger. Over these pieces some
ufleu moss, Sphagnum or peat should
pe placed, or even q handful of dried
grass, II nothing better can be had.
Ihls will prevent the earth from falling
among the fragments and will insIra
complete drainage. 1t is supposed, Of
course, that the regular ilUwer-pots ara
useu with il hole at tho bottom for the
escape OF the water. If u box or other
vessel 10 used Il hole should be made IN
tile bottom. Persons who have never
Tried the above method will be slr-
prlsed with The difference it will mako
III their plants. The earth in tho pots
si!ould s be kept moist, but not wet.
Most housewives f6iIl1wt The, I,Yartlto 'or VI \
soaking the soil once a day or less, and
then letting it dry out until it becomes
hard. This stiff, hard and unyielding
character OF the soil i'll pots is not usu-
ally conducive to the growth Of plants.
The earth should be kept loose by Il IL |
beral addition OF vegetable lnJlu, such
sas can be obtained under tho leaves in
an old forest OF in many neglected fence
rows. For most plants IL third or IL
half OF tho soil may be mold, which
must be we'll mixed with the heavier
earth. Then give good drainage by
employing ungllzed pots with holes in
Tho bottom, and by placing Il handful
or broken bricks or crockery in Tho bot.
tom, and over it lay spll;Ignum or other
moss or peat. DO not wator heavily.
The soil should not beA cold and soggy.
Apply water frequently, but avoid soak
1ng. Inc leaves OF tho plant snou LII
also De frequently sprayed, especially if
evaporation goes on rapidly.