The Van Buren press., 1897-04-24
RAISING OF HOUSE Pl ANTS.
Glazed Jardinieres Responsive ioi
Many Failures.

Many ufiuieS.
"The amjolica jardiniere is response
ble for a good many failures in the rais-
ing of house plants" said an uptown
florist the other day. "The reason Is
that the water is frequently allowed 10
stand an inch or two deep in the DOT
tom of the jardiniere. Jardinleres are
most useful for protecting the ROOFS
of tender plants from over-exposure u
spnsbine and from drought. The Or
binary clay pot, in which the plan'
grows, is set inside the more ornament
al china Jar. This is very well, but the
outer Jar should be kept clean ana orS'
Failure to do this will make the roots
unhealthy and cause the leaves 10 turn
yellow and drop off. House plants
should not be placed in a draught elther'
They are as sensitive as people TO Ger
tain conditions. Customers who get
vigorous, healthy specimens OF plants
from Us come in week or so later 10
ask us to send some one TO examine the
rlants. They are not doing we'll at an
in fact, they look as though they Were
going to die. We send man TO lnVesu-
gate. and the report comes that they are
half frozen. Some bright morning,
when the atmosphere looked tempting
outside, the plants were put out OF the
window to enjoy the sunshine, the WIN
dow being left open meanwhile, and the
| plant, having been housed in a warm
room. could not stand so abrupt q
change. A room in which the atmos'
phere is kept sweet by means of heating
and ventilation can produce as gooc
flowers as the best greenhouse
''rhe growing of plants in windows
and apartments is one of the most ra
tional and instructive amusenents &C
be had" said an authority on the sub
ject Anybody interested in plants
and watching their silent development
will soon learn to find out their needs
Almost imperceptible changes in the
color of the foliage will tell if the plants
need more nutriment, or If they wan
more water or should have less. In
| sufficient nutriment will cause a dul
appearance in the whole plant. Wan
of water brings insect life, or vii
! hinder the growth of an otherwis'
healthy plant. 4 yellow tint to th'
leaves indicates that the plant is KEEP
too moist.
''In many houses the atmosphere i
extremely dry, and where this is tn
case certain kinds Of plants cannot b.
grown successfully. By spraying tn
foliage often, however, this trouble cal
be obviated. Cacti, many kinds OF bulb
Gus plants, palms, and also many flor
isl flowers do we'll in dry room, but al
except cacti need occasional washing
and sprayings If large foliage plants
such as palms, rubber trees, and drace
mas, are merely dusty, good rubin
of the foliage with a soft cloth vii
make the leaves clean and glossy. Thi
method is better than washing whe
the plants are absolutely healthy an
free from insects. Not only should tn
leaves be kept free from dust and othe
Objectionable matter. but pots. vase
urns and baskets must have simila
attention. Sponges used for washin
plants, as a preventive against insect
| anu ulStdSe, must De SOIL dHu Tree lTol
any granular matter or sand, which
apt to scratch the surface of the Leaves
When the foliage is too small TO b
washed, leaf by leaf, an immeraion in
weak solution of fr-tree oil IL usefu
Fir-tree oil does not injure the bands
il will leave even white hand muc
whittier. Water used on the plant
should be soft if possible. Palms an
other foliage plants need Hprayin
every day in dry weather, or wiping Of
with a moist sponge."-N Y. Post.