The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-23
FLOWER CULTURE.
A Peep Into My Window Garden,

1t was toward the close of a dark and
sullen day in March. The wind had
been blowing in titful gusts all day,
shrieking around the corners of the
house like a wild beast at bay. The
clouds were scurrying here and there,
with now and then a furry of nov to
remind us that winter had not left us.
The day had been a trying n domes-
tic duties had been particularly irk-
some and l must acknowledge that I
felt generally out of sorts with the
world at large and life seemed hardly
worth the living. All day my thoughts
had been travelling back to the days Of
long age. when little feet we're pattering
through the halls, glad voices filed the
air with merry, childish glee, and the
home seemed almost a paradise. Years
had sped on apace, bringing the changes
that are sure to come to every home.
Voices and faces we 80 much loved. had
gone to cheer other hearts and homes,
leaving the old house deserted.
1t is seldom l allow such reveries, but
the outside surroundings induced this
feeling. l had been for some time in
dulging in this dreary mood. when, sud-
denly, a CLEAN of sunshine burst from
between the clouds and a food of glory
swept through the rooms and seemed to
transform my window garden into a
veritable bower of beauty. AS suddenly
all gloomy thoughts were dispelled and
l became wholly absorbed in the beauty
OF the scene.
My heart was filled with love and
praise to the great author Of all good,
that He has given us such a variety Of
lovely, tinted flowers to brighten the
home Of any IN who will take the time
and trouble to cultivate them. There
car be no room so desolate. no mother
SO weary. that she will not find comfort
in the bright blossoms OF a Geranium.
even If it is in a tin fruit CAM l have
singled out the Geranium because SO
easily grown. The free sunlight and not
too great an amount OF water being all
the care they need. and | think them
very satisfactory, coming in such a
great variety of colors and such con-
slant boomers. Two varieties OF Pella-
gonium "a species Of Geranium). Martha
Washington and Lady Washington, are
just now the pride OF my window, being
in full bloom, a profuse mass Of delicate
ly tinted flowers. find the most salts
factory cultivation OF them is to give
them slight care through the summer,
in july cut them back one-half way and
let them make a new growth. and the
last OF February they will. with plenty
Of water and sunlight, be ready foH
blooming.
l have three varieties OF Begonia,
beautiful for their thick, glossy foliage,
Ruben being the most satisfactory, as it
is in constant bloom, the coral like
sprays Of waxy petals covering the
plant. The foliage Of the Metallieu is
it's chief beauty, having rough and hairy
leaves underlined with red veins. The
third. suitable for hanging baskets, l do
not know the botanical name, but it is
commonly called elephants ear, from
the shape Of it's leaves, which grow on a
stem that curl around in grotesque
shape, completely covering the jar.
They have the peculiarly Of growing
better in the shade and care should be
taken not to wet the foliage. The Abu-
liton or Silver Maple. is delight to the
eye. 1t has graceful, bell-shaped bios
SONS OF several different colors. The