The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-04
Tiny House-Gardens.

Almost anything that grows and has
healthy foliage is attractive in winter;
and those who cannot indulge in sew
eral yards of glass towering
plants may enjoy the pleasure of a
sponge-garden, which can be easily
managed by any plant loving child.
A large round piece of coarse sponge
is the first requisite, and it should be
neatly trimmed of all jagged ends.
Then soak it in warm water until it is
thorougly expanded, when it should
be squeezed nearly dry, and the open
ings filled with rice and barley, seeds
of red clover, oats, grass, etc.
The next thing is to suspend it in a
window that has the sun for some
hours during the day, and it should
be thoroughly sprinkled with luke
warm water every morning. In a
week or so tiny green shoots will ap-
pear, and these, if the sponge is kept
moist, will grow as if by magic into a
velvety ball of living green. In due
time the clover blossoms will appear,
and look far prettier than when bloom
ing in the field.
Tiny ferns and partridge-vine are
lovely growing in this way, as the
sponge supplies the constant moisture
in which they delight; and many more
things than one would imagine will
take kindly to the wet sponge. Trades
cantha, or Wandering JeaO, which has
the reputation of taking to anything.
droops charmingly over this novel res
idence, and becomes greener than ever.
while very delicate species of melon
vine sways its light-tinted leaves in
the sunshine with great contentment.
But when it comes to sweet-pea and
cypress-vine, it really seems more
than could be ex pected from a sponge
garden; yet they will really grow
even be coaxed into bloom. The deli
cate green foliage of the cypress vine
is beautiful ornament in itself, but
when a few crimson stars peep out,
the plant is still prettier.
Another tiny garden can be made
by cutting piece of sheet-wadding to
fit the top of bowl or wide-mouthed
jar, which is filed with water just high
enough for the bottom of the widding
to touch it. Two or three small bits
of charcoal will keep the water pure;
and when all is arranged the top of the
wadding is sprinkled with seeds OF
mignonette, sweet-pea, or any other
easily growing plant. The roots pierce
down through the wadding and are
nourished by the water; while leaves
and blossoms, in a reasonable time,
conceal the top. This garden is even
easier to manage than the sponge.
A large carrot, rather thick than
long, carefully followed out until only
a wall strong enough to suspend it by
is left, makes very pretty bit of win
ter greenness. The foliage sprouts
from the outside and quite covers the
carrot. When sufficiently followed
out. the three strings by which it is
suspended in the window are fastened
in the holes bored for them at equal
distances in the top of the carrot at
about half an inch below the edge.
This queer little hanging basket is
then filled with water nearly up to the
holes, and small piece of charcoal
added. The water must be renewed
as the carrot absorbs it, for if al
lowed to become dry the foliage will
turn yellow, and lose it's beauty. AL
water in which plants are growing
needs replenishing every few days.
Ella Rodned1 Church IN Harper'S Young
People.