The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-09-02

Floral Notes for the Month.
Orchard and Garden.
Now approaches the time when we should
consider how and with what we shall adorn
our rooms the coming winter, and SO make
preparation for the window gardens that
shall console us for the loss Of our Out-of-
door fiower-beds when that time arrives
1t is mono too early to begin. for it is de-
sirable that plants should go into winter
quarters in the best possible condition if
they are to give us satisfactory amount
of bloom from the start. Some plants such
as al-geraniums need cutting back to
induce q break or start of new growth
Take off One-t third to one-h half of the green
wood. and aim to preserve shapely ap-
pearance to the plant. If they are bedded
out in the open, take them up and put in
rich soil, using pots no larger than will
Just accommodate the roots; after awhile
they will need reporting into pots from one
to two inches larger in diameter. If the
plants have been growing all summer in
large pots, they should be turned out. the
soil pared off or broken away, and the
plant returned to the same pot with fresh,
rich soil. Old plants treated in this way
should be watered occasionally with weak
manure-water. Small. young plants need
not be pruned, but should be repotted.
Place The plants in a partially shaded
place, where they will get q little sun daily,
and care must be taken that they do not
lack water at this time.
Cuttings may be put in this month for
winter blooming. Fill a pan or shallow
box with clean sand and press the sand
firmly against them when putting them in;
keep the sand continually moist. When
the cuttings are rooted pot them off in
small pots, removing to larger pots as fast
as the pots become filled with roots
Plants in the ground intended for winter
bloom, such as roses. carnatiOns. fuchsias.
etc., should be carefully lifted and potted
the latter part of the month. They should
be placed in a shady place for few days
and watered gently. The blossoms should
be kept Off them.
There are a number of very pretty annu-
ais that will give bloom in the house during
winter, and these should be sown in the
open ground now. Among these are sweet
alyssum, lobelia, candytuft, pot marigold,
mignonette. etc. The latter does not trans
plant readily and should be sown in pots
There are others that may be grown just as
easily and transplanted into pots for house
bloom.
Vinca major and vinca minor, or what are
called by many the common periwinkles.
make very useful vines for vases and pots,
and rank among the most desirable hardy
plants. The Madagascar periwinkle, al
though usually grown as house plant,
may he easily grown by amateurs as pot
plant for the window, or as q bedding plant
during the summer. 1t is of upright growth,
with handsome foliage and very attractive
flowers. There are several varieties. Vinca
alba has white flowers with deep red eye;
vinca alba pura is pure white; vinca rosa is
rose color, with a dark eye. These plants
may be raised from seed, and the treatment
should be exactly like that given to the
balsam.
The ampelopsis veitcbii is q very popular
vine for covering walls, and it is certainly
one of the most beautiful and useful of all
vines. 1t may he grown from seeds much
more easily than from cuttings. the seed
lings making o much more rapid growth.
Sow the seeds in the autumn in weIl-pre-
pared soil by the wall which you wish COW
cred with ampelopsis. The seeds will grow
very readily. and you will be greatly
pleased with the result.
If one has beautiful large bowl or jardi-
Mere. and wishes fine palm to grow in il.
he should get the Kentia Australis. for il II
one that may be relied on for grace, beauty
and growth. Let tho palm be placed in q