New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
HINTS on PORTING PLANTS.
A WINTER GARDEN WORTH THE ATTEN-
TON IT DEMANDS OF YOU.
SOME OF THE BEST FLOWERS TO RAISE IN SUCH
A GARDEN-BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH

A GARDEN-BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH
WINDOWS MAY BE USED.
When the cool days they bring the desire
10 save as much Of the summer possible by the
creating of winter garden Cuttings for win
ter blooms poted late in July or early In August
are we'll rooted by October. and ready to go INTO
the winter garden when the cold nights come
But do not bring them in too soon; they should
first be placed the piazza-southern exposure II
possible-and put out In autumn rains. not
being taken In the house before November. Plants
like people, do not thrive with wholesome vigor
when they cease to breath the outer air and In the
house need fresh air constantly.
direct draueht OF cold air should not blow
upon the winter garden. Lower the windows lit
tie a, the top and be sure the room Is well hiled
with hot air while the fresh cold air Is rushing IN
sudden chill will give serious setback TO CROWN
and bloom
Probably more mistakes are made in watering
window plants than in any other part or thelr
culture Do not keep the the saucers filled with
wa ter; II has a tendency to sour the roots DO not
wet little: even II the top of the earth looks
damp after a sprinkling the roots may ne very
dry Water freely, until the moisture oozes OUT VI
the bottom of the pot. then you can De sure tne
roots are wet. and the little water left IN the
saucer after a good top wettins Will soon be
sucked up
Sponge or syringe the foliage. A brass syringe or
rubber atomizer such as florists use, is best mo
leaves thoroughly sprnkled daily with the atoh'le'
will be free from insects. Carefully remove tne
dead leaves and branches. and stir the earth oeca
sionally about the roots to proven; its packing
which would keep the water from permeatAg the
soil.
Plants will not thrive II the air OF the room Is
too dry they dislike furnace heat and gas. IL tne
air OF the room Is unusually dry and not sprinkle
the plants twice day. tablespoonful OF mousse
hold ammonia In the watering pot twice week Is
luxurian, in foliage and bloom
AVOID TOO MUCH "FUssING."
Plants are much like human beings: they often
need a iudicious letting alone After they have
had their drink and shower bath give them plenty
% sunshine and fresh air. and leave them 10 WORK
out their own salvation. Fussing too much over
plants hinders their full development. The amount
of heat required for plants Is about the same as Tor
human beings. g. or 70 degrees In the daytime ana
80 60 degrees at night
In taking up garden plants for winter blooming
cut back one-halt. FIJI the bottom OF the pots
with small stones before putting In the soil, 10
make the drainage good. Good rich garden SOIL
leaf mould from the woods or pottng-soil from
greenhouse (where it always he purchased is
all you need for your plants, with admixtures OF
sand II particular plant requires ii. When re-
potting plants. use same soil as above. In reporting
do not put plants in larger pots unless their root
growth requires It. This can be ascertaned by
seldom need larger pots, because their root growth
is small. Fuchsas whose roofing is large. usually
need larger pot
Repot plants IN the autumn or late summer 70
insure good winter blooms. Geranum cuttings pot
ted in July early in August will bloom In No
vember. They should be put in small pots, fve-inch
size. as they will not bloom until the pot is nlled
with roots and their root growth being small. they
require little room. They like tin cans best. Pint
tin vegetable cans. with holes punctured IN the
lower part for drainage. are excellent. as the TIN
holds the moisture longer than the red clay pots
Heliotrope-usually very difficult to raise-is well
started in a bottle Of water, When the bottle is
filed with roots put in soil. using onethrd sand.
IF given plenty OF sun and water the heiotrope will
richly reward tho careful winter gardener by FILL
ing the air with it's fragrance
SOME OF THE FAvORITEs.
Ambition demands plenty Of root room, as II does
not flower until IT becomes good-sized plant Then
II is a great addition with It's fine growth and
bloom to the greenery. Petunias need small
pots and are better satisfied II you forget to water
them occasionally.
sweet alyssum and candytuft are good winter /.
windows with wealth Of beautiful blooms The
always lovely marguerite is one of the best and
planted in pots in the late summer will grow into
dwarf bean h ssap Pied
blooming plants. Lobelias are also good winter
OF the bulbs hyacinths, lilies of the-valey and
tulips do we'll ali started in dark secluson, TO
burst forth in the sunlight into flowers and fra
GRANGE. For ornamental vines In the house the
English Ivy is the best. II does not require much
care. not being sensitive to cold. and therefore
likes shaded window. For hanging baskets no
plant is prettier satisfactory than the
oxalis The beautiful oxalis plant, with Its lovely
coOred flowers and rich green leaves, is very
luxuriant grower. 1t must have a sandy soil plen-
~ of water and sun.
HOW TO HANDLE FERNS
The delicate smilax vine will grow nicely over a
north window in the winter garden. with ferns
and begonias. Wood ferns potted in the autumn
in the rich leaf mould where they grow. mixed with
one-sixth finely sifted coal ashes. viii thrive well
THROUGH the winter months # kept in cool win
dow and well Watered. Under glass they develop
as well IN their native woodland sending up deli
cate fronds and growing in rank luxuriance.
Nelvety moss. with It's attendant partridge and
winterereen berry vines makes charming bed
for these woodland favorites, and will well repay
the gardener for transplantng.
inexpensive ferneries be made of three large
windowpsncs fastened in a slight wooden frame
work. and placed over zinc or tin box filled with
ferns and wood moss
In potting ferns for winter growing put in the
leaf mould with coal ashes, and fill the pot
third full Of charcoal for drainage: press the soil
firmly about the roots and water well. also sprinkle
often with the atomizer. The cool north window
with its glory of bloom nd sunshine.
HORSON'S YOUNG FRIEND.