The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-21
FLOWERS IN THE HOME.
Ale Best Economy in Buyfsg Plants fos
the Winter Gzrden

| Ale Best Economy in Buyisg Plants fos
the Winter Garden
Throughout the late autumn days all
who are interested in Horticulture are
turning their attention to the plants
for the winter garden.
After the slips and cuttings from the
summer flowers have been exhausted
we are sure to find it desirable to add
many beauties to our collection that
can be purchased ready rooted from
the florists Just word in regard to
these floral purchases: Many make a
great mistake in stocking the window
garden by buying plants that are fully
developed and in full bloom. 1t is a
great temptation to purchase the tall,
graceful beauty covered with flowers,
rather than the insignifcant-looking
plant of the same variety just starting
into growth, especially if the large
beauty does not cost any more than
the small affair; but it is unwise if
after-results are to be considered.
. If one will stop to think about il cite
will see that it is better to buy plak.s
that have not yet been brought up 70
the blooming period. A plant full OF
bloom certainly will not go on bloom
Ing when transferred from the green
house of the florist to- your garden or
living room. 1t will have all it can do
for some time to accustom itself to its
new conditions. In transferring the
different varieties of plants from the
open ground to the house it is very
seldom that they will keep bloos,-
ing-evep the so called ever-bloome -
and this is especially true in purchs s.
ing new plants. If IT is necessary to
secure well developed plant it is best
to remove all buds W hen the change is
made, and let the plant do nothing for
swhile, but adapt itself TO its new SIR
poundings. When it begins to bloom
it may be expected to bloom right
along. All plants require a season Of
rest after they have been blooming
profusely for some time, and this is
another reason for stunning the old
plants when buying for winter culture.
Young, sturdy plants, we'll rooted, are
the best, and if they were secured just
before they begin to form their first
flower buds they will soon become &C.
cushioned to their new quarters and
will send out an abundance of bloom
ing branches, without the slightest
check to their beauty.
II don't see why you should be so
very particular to place an inch or two
of drainage material in every pot. Its
all whim," said a would-be fiowee
raiser recently, as she complacentlgi
filed up the pot with soil without PROF.
viding for the drainage She will find
out her mistake later. 1t is not q
whim. It is common sense. 1t is a
scientific application of well under,
stood principle which successful farm
ers put into practice every year in the
cultivation of their fields If the soil
is heavy and retains water the roots
of the plants growing in it are likely
to be injured, but when the fields arc
properly drained. the surplus water is
drawn off. In putting bits of crockery,
broken oyster shells, etc,
IN the bottom of flower pot you
are carrying on exactly the same prin-
ciple which the farmer does when he
his fields. You are giving
the surplus water a chance to run out
of the soil and away from it. Without
such drainage the water would sink to
the bottom of the pot. The drainage
hole would soon be closed by the soil
damming it up. After the plant has
taken up all the water it can use the
surplus, not being droined off. will
make the soil sour and heavy, injur.
ing the tender roots of the plant grow.
ing in it. and causing it to become yell
low and blighted, even if it does rot
die outright.
To the busy housewife who loves
flowers. but has little time to attend
10 them, cacti offer wonderful posi-
bilities, as they will live. thrive and
blossom under conditions that few
other plants would endure. Their
peculiar structure fits them to bear the
dry heated atmosphere of the ordinary
they are easily kept free
from dust; insects seldom trouble
them; and they will bear a degree of
neglect that would kill an ordinary
plant. They increase in value, beaut7
and poisoning power every year.
They have been cultivated by amateur
flower lovers in but a comparatively
short space of time, but as their capa-
bilities and peculiarities become more
generally understood they are mors
extensively grown each year.-Phila.
Geiphia Press