The midland journal., 1896-06-12
Winter Blooming Window Plants.

L
decide upon the house plants in
tended for next winter. And having
made the selection, and procured
them, if not already in hand, their
summer treatment should be given
with reference to their winter use.
The Chinese Primrose is an ideal
window plant for winter. 1t blooms
constantly and it's handsome flowers
are borne in great numbers; there
are both red and white varieties,
and, also, one white striped with
red, and doubled fowered varieties.
There is a variety with deeply cut
leaves, called Fern leaved. The
plants, if properly raised, commence
to bloom early in winter and will
continue until late in the spring,
especially if there is a succession Of
plants. To produce such succession
the seeds should be sown at differ
ent times in spring, commencing
with March and continuing into
June, each lot of plants being
brought along by itself with refer
ence to keeping up continuous
supply all through the winter and
spring. The seed can be sown in
shallow pans or boxes or pots of
well drained, light soil, mostly leaf
mold, but with an addition of a
small quantity each of loam and
sand. Press down the surface of
the soil to make it smooth, set the
pot or pan in Il dish of water, allow
ing the moisture to come up through
the drainage hole until the whole
body is moistened; then SOW the
seeds on the surface, and with a
few pinches of sand between thumb
and finger sprinkle it lightly over
them; lay pane of glass over the
top and stand the pot in a warm,
shaded place. AS soon as the
plants come through remove the
glass partially, and soon wholly.
While under the glass watering
will not he apt to be needed, if il
is, give water as already described
After the seedlings have made a
new leaf or two they can be pricked
out into other pots, letting them
stand about an inch apart so that
they will have plenty of air. After
making a little growth they can be
potted singly into small pots, being
careful not to set the crown of the
plant into the soil, but just at the
surface; give a little support if
necessary to keep in an upright
position. The potting soil can be
one part each of well rotted manure,
leaf mold, and sand, and two parts
of loan. A cool, airy, and shady
place should be given them, and
attention given to a regular supply
of water. Shift into larger pots as
they grow, finally giving them FIVE
inch pots. Some skill is required
to raise fine plants, and one may
well be proud of them when grown.
If one wants a plant for winter
blooming which is easy to raise
from seed he can SOW a little petunia
seed, any time in July or August,
in bed in the garden prepared
with fine surface. Let the plants
grow where they come up until
they have made several leaves, and
then lift and pot them, and care for
them outside until October when
they can be taken in and can he
kept close by the window in pots
or boxes, over the sides of which
they will trail as they grow, and
keep blooming all winter. Though
rather humble plants and of no use
for cutting, yet they make quite a
show of bright colors and do not
demand much attention.
AS to insects, they are easily
banished by means of various in
secticides and sulpho-tobacco soap
and kerosene emulsion are the
principal ones. These only need
to be used in time. A good sprayer
and a good hand syringe are the
important implements, and with
these and watchfulness all danger
from them may be averted.-Vick s
No