The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-21

the city man or woman to have few |
nots containing pretty flowers, but it |
Is a sad fact that not one in hundred |
has the slightest idea as to how the
nlants should be treated in order to Sc
cure the best results. The indoor Gull
ture of plants is also intimately con-
nected with the sanitary condition of
our dwellings, says the Philadelphia
Tnuuirer. The oxygen of the atmos-
nhere is indispensable to the respira-
tion of animals; it purifies their blood
and affords them internal heat; and,
combining with particles ready to be
removed from every part of the frame,
is expired in the form of carbonic acid
gas Ia compound of oxygen and car
bon). This gas, which is deleterious
To animal life, constitutes the main
nourishment of plants, which absorb
It. appropriate its carbon and restore
its oxygen to the air, again to be
breathed in purity by men and ami
mails. 1t is true that pure air is neces-
sarv alike to the life Of plants and ami
mails. but the amount of oxygen alb
sorbed by the former is by no means
equal to that which they restore, and
tins through their agency the at
mosphere is kept in healthy equili-
brium. 1t is only during the day and
under the influence Of light, however,
that carbonic acid is employed for the
nutrition of plants; that which they
absorb during the night is returned
into the atmosphere with the water
which is continually evaporating from
the surface of the leaves. From this it
will be understood how the night air
of an apartment containing flowers is
said to be less healthful than the at
mosphere which pervades it during the
day; though under ordinary states of
ventilation no danger need be appre
bended from this source. Besides their
direct purifying influence plants also
tend indirectly to the health of dwell
ing apartments. For their sake the
windows containing them will be Of
tener cleaned, the sash more frequent
" thrown open and the air and sun
shine intended for them will also light
en- and purify the air of the apartment.
As to the amount of skill necessary for
domestic flower culture, it need not be
very great. 1t is true that particular
plants require particular treatment as
to moisture, exposure to sunlight, etc.
that some climb, others creep, some
require support, others float on water,
some remain evergreen, others de-
mand periods of rest; but all this can
be learned of any gardener from whom
the particular plant is obtained. Cut
tings, while they are freely provided
with heat and moisture, should not be
too much exposed to light and sun
shine. The evaporation which takes
place from the leaves must not exceed
the moisture which the root is capable
of absorbing from the soil; if it does
so the plants will speedily languish
and die 1t is necessary, therefore, to
keep young slips partially in the shade
until they are thoroughly rooted and
begin to send forth leaf buds, which are
sure symptoms of their new vitality
Particular attention should be paid to
the matter of watering our domestic
plants. Though plants may be occa-
sionally showered with the watering
pot, in general the best mode is to give
them their supply by the fats or sau
GERS and under soil and to take care
that this be as regular or as gradual as
possible. DTenching them today ant
forgetting them for the remainder o.
the week is decidedly hurtful; anC
watering the surface has cooling eff
feet on the soil, though it is objection
able on the score of cleanliness. Blu
care must be taken not to give an!
plant more water at time than 1T
roots can quickly take up; water stand
ing in a saucer is always injurious
Moisture can always be partially sup
piled by placing shallow tin fats oil
the flower stand, from which the waite
can evaporate among the leaves ant
branches of the plants.
Remember, too, that regular expos
ure and turning of plants to light ar
quite as necessary as air and moistur
if we would grow them healthy and o
proper shapes.
In transferring plants which hav
become too large for their original pot
it is generally necessary to remoV
part VI me Olu udtISu IOOI' ChO AOOA
of which surround the ball of earth, t
open it up, as it were, so that it ma
speedily obtain nutriment from tn
new supply of soil. Nothing can b
more absurd than to transfer ball {
ibers and exhausted soil to a new pc
under the idea of not injuTing the roo
Do not forget, also, to place at tn
bottom of all pots a layer of broke
earthenware or sifted gravel next
the bottom, with some turf or mos
above Tn facilitate drainage.