Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1889-07-11
Horticulture.

The cultivation Of flowers is an
.o>oura;ioh dat improves alike the
body, mind and heart. II is an al
most certain indication Of purity and
refinement.
Horticulture, or the cultivation of
flowers, is IN ART based upon the M.
tural scrnccs-botany, chemistry,
and entomology. Although a knowl-
edge of these and kindred sciences
will give much aid, it will not Of it.
self make Il good florist.
J When student has learned all
THAT lectures and books can teach,
he still needs observation, practice,
ana experience to make him master
Of Horticulture. 1t is not Il rude,
simple matter but requires and re-
wards the fullest command Of science
and the knowledge OF natures laws.
What is needed in the cultivation
ct i1owcrS is moro study, more
thought, more enthusiasm, with less
attachment to old ways, methods,
and practices, which, il ever dcsira-
bic or iudiciouS, have longcd ceased
to he SO. II those who love flowers
will intcIligrntly resolve that their
cultivation shall and must improve,
it will not be long before We have an
art worthy of our country and the
age in which we live.
We can afford to cultivate and
study flowers il for no other reason
than their cheerful surrounding.
Many do without flowers because
they think that they cost too much
time and trouble, but one does not
have to think long to be convinced
that all things worth having cost
considerable and that anything
worth having is worth working for.
Dftrntimrs the partial success or in
many instances total failure in the
cultivation Of flowers is due to the
TACT that we try to do too much.
that our gardens are too large and
not sufficiently cared for. No one
should have more ground devoted to
Il garden than can he kept in. the
highest state Of cultivation. En-
ccllcncr affords satisfaction and
pleasure, while failure brings morti-
Hration and pain.
The same may he said Of house
plants or plants kept within doors
during the winter. Too often do
we see many plants crowded together
in poorly lighted window, compcll-
ing each plant to take on form
never intended by nature and foliage
quite different from that desired by
the owner.
One Of the chief requisites in
management Of house plants is plcn-
" of sunshine.
Next is an atmosphere neither too
dry nor too close and Il uniform tom.
p"raturc (l"wrr at night than dur
ing dayD
Some practical hints as to water
ing may be summed up aS follows:
Rain water is better than spring or
well water. Hard water may be
greatly improved by adding drop
or two OF ammonia or little soda,
Il small nugget about the S;zc Of n
pea TO every gallon OF water used.
AS to time Of day, morning is the
best, and next is the evening. Never
water house plants when the sun is
shining brightly upon them; the sup
ply OF water must be regulated ac-
cording to the demands OF the plant;
the condition Of the plant and Of the
soil is the best guide. Never give
water when the soil is moist to the
touch Nearly ali plants require
more water when in bloom than at
any other time, more in warm tenn
pcraturc than in cold, and more
when in Il state of active growth
than when ut rest. Plants in open
rooms usually require water once
day and some demand il twice, at
any rate all should be examined with
interest to water at least every
day.
Cleanliness is essential The
leaves Of plants should be kept from
dust, hence frequent wa>hings arc
absolutely essential, although when
Watering never wet the flowers Of
plant nor allow drops Of water to
stand on the leaves in the sunshine.
Never allow water TO stand i'm the
SauccrS Of the pots unless the plants
arc Scmi-aquatic. Watering is at
least two fold. It supplies plants
food or clements Of fertility con
taincI i'm iiSrlf and rn,,ynrtc tbo