The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-01-18
FLOWERS IN WINTER.
Oraanaentationof Homes and AmuGo-
mont for Ladies.

characterization OF Homes ana AnU0o.
mont for Ladies.
A late number Of the New. ENGLAND
Farmer (Boston) has = very readable
article under the above title, from which
We copy the following, for the de!ecta-
ton of our lady readers:
In the cultivation of flowers in winter,
in our sitting rooms, the same laws must
be observe as in the culture of flowers
in the open ground. There must not be
too much heat Inor too little sunshine.
The soil must be rich and sufficiently
mellow. Moisture must be controlled,
and 1insects must be kept from doing
harm. As blooming plants car not thrive
even in SUMMER. In dense shade, 10 ID
kept constantly in q north window. ;An
do, but q southern exposure wall
give best! ), results. During :. the
short days of winter. south window will
let in none too much sunshine. The num-
Der of plants must be governed by the
amount of sunlight one can afford toRive
up to the flowers. Too many may dark
en- the room and render it unpleasant or
unhealthful for the inmates for whose
pleasure they are grown. ! ! :.
A few choice plants, we'll cared for,
will give much greater satisfaction than
mass Of sickly leaves and vines, 50
crowded as to darken the room in
which they are kept, for our window
plants should add to. rather than take
from, the attractiveness and comfort OF
our rooms in winter. A single pot on
either side of a window, and containing
bright flower, or single vine or two
sunshine flowing back and giving cheer
like a single rosebud to an
otherwise plainly dressed person. So In
attempting the cultivation of Towering
plants in winter, do not attempt to do
| too much. If you want green house.
then build green house, but do not at-
tempt to turn your parlor into winter
garden.
There is no cheaper nor perhaps bet
ter way to sto'k up window garden
than to start Slip or cuttings from the
plants III ones own grounds. The pur-
chased flowers are often grown to sell;
and do not improve very readily in new
quarters. A purchased plant never
gives half the pleasure and satisfaction
Of one equally good specimen grown .iil-
der ones own care In selecting varie-
ties one should choose such as will bear
| variation in temperature, for it is next
parlor at household heat all the time
during twenty.four hours. We
should select, then, such plants as will
do we'll in the temperature We
can easily maintain. A coal fire burn
ing day and night will enable us to Sc:
lect FROM wider range than if We must
depend upon wood fires, and old news
papers and shawls for protection at night.
Outside windows screwed onto the win
dow frames, leavil & a dead air space be-
tween the sashes, are great protection
against frost. ::
We have seen the finest show of winter
blooming plants in Northern Vermont
farm houses, thus protected, that We
have ever seen anywhere, and it was less
work to take care of them that it would
have been in rooms single glazed 200 or
| 300 miles further south. 1t is very de-
| many may be day and night, though 1t
should BE- little lower at night or when
the sun does not shine. Watering is
very importont part of winter gardening.
Some water to often and too freely,
while others give to little, but the most
common failing is in watering
too irregularly Some plants
need great deal of water, while others
should have but little. Self:draining
pots with loose gravel or something OF
the kind in the bottom are the best, as
they will leta surplus through. Stand
ing water will rot the roots of any but
acquatic plants. Tie Gala lily and some
others will live in it.
| Watering is best done at night, but
| early in the day will do. Nature never
| waters :,lants while the sun is shining.
We should learn a lesson from her.
Neither does she often sprinkle with
ice cold water. We should never forget
to temper those which We pour upon
ours in pots. Finally, We must love our
flowers. and expect to give them some
of our time. A successful feeder of hogs
is reported to have said that a hog will
always do little better if the feeder
will stay and look at him little while
every time he gives the s~ill, which is
doubtless in a measure true. Flowers
will certainly do much better in houses
where the inmates love their pets and
like to give them q little time and atten-
ton not absolutely called for.