The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-01

rapid growth and profuse blooming,
which the novice cannot hope to faith
ON, Whine in reality there is no class
OF plants so easily grown and sure to
give satisfaction.
The beautiful glass bowls, through
which the lelicate roots may be watch
ed as they grow, or the handsome jar
dlpiere, which may hold the water,
will prove desirable settings for the
lovely blossoms and glossy foliage, but
the plants will thrive quite as well in
cheap glass dish, or any vessel that
VIII hold water. Tin should be avoid
ed, however, as rust will form and the
water will not remain as pure as when
IN glass, china or stoneware.
Those who make these water plants
study are surprised to find such a
large variety of these curious bloom
ers, and welcome each new sort that
is introduced. We are no longer con-
lined to the culture of the various wat
er lilies, many of which soon prove too
large Tor the average window garden
yet a great deal of enjoyment can be
obtained from these, especially from
raising the seedlings, which should be
started now to secure summer blooms
For immediate display, the water
hyacinth will, perhaps, be the most de-
slrable. This will thrive for a long
time in water alone, but will prove
much more satisfactory when there is
little rich soil placed in the bottom
of the dish holding the water. The plant
is very odd in form and manner of
growth 1t does not require planting
but should simply be dropped on the
surface of the water and the curious
ly inflated leaf stalks will cause 1t to
float about, its queer foliage resem-
bling bladders, or miniature balloons.
Soon a feathery mass of delicate blue
roots win extend downward until
they reach the soil, and hold the plant
in place while extracting the nutriment
from the rich soil and water.
The growth will be very rapid if
plenty Of sunlight can be secured, and
soon the blossoms will appear resem-
bling somewhat the spike of the COM
mon. hyacfnth in manner of growth, but
as delicate and beautiful as a costly
orchid. Each flower in the spike is
about two inches in diameter, and in
color is a beautiful blending of azure
blue and lilac rose tintings, with
deep blue spot on each of the upper pc
dals, and a golden spot in the center of
the blossom
This is especially handsome when
grownsin a, glass dish so that the
growth of The curious roots may be
watched as the plant floats on the sur
face Of the water, and they extend
the rich soil is arranged in the bottom
or the dish, shells and white sand may
Dc made to partly conceal it, and few
small Jumps of charcoal, mixed with
the shells, Will help to keep the water
pure. Phe roots win quickly Irvine
among the shells and reach the soil be-
meath, ana the window ornament will
he greatly admired, even before the
flowers appear.
H. lhe thrifty little water poppy, with
rs abundance Of bloom, always proves
Iavorite among the flowers cultivated
- ,nS manner, 1t does not float on the
ssVihilke the water hyacinth, but should
~ 2laated in the soil in the bottom of
tne dlsh Of jardiniere, and then the
water ii'led in until the leaves, with
lheire long stems, can rest upon the sur
race. The flowers are a bright lemon
Voiqr' and stand few inches out of the
water, making bright, snowy orna-
lhent when in fun bloom
INC eommo1er varieties of hyacinths
are oIten grown in the hyacinth glasses,
simplE tiled With water, without soil
~ the bottoms; and these are perhaps
tne most widely known of any plants
that can be cultivated in water. Differ
ent varieties of narcissus, crocus bulbs.
Ste;' may also he forced in this manner, !
pl6 the bulb becomes exhausted and
'thus forced Y
There are few flowers that have
grown So rapidly into favor as the
DAINTY, fragrant Lilly OF the Gods" or
the Chinese sacred lily. 1t is absolutely |
sure TO bloom If a properly ripened bulb |
suchtas reliable dealers are sure to send |
2ut, is set according to directions. in a
uisn OF pebbles and water, and allowed |
a plenty of sunlight for at least a por-
ton OF the day. One OF the greatest adj
yantages in growing this beauty is the
flowers can be depended upon when
wanted, which cannot be said of many
window garden plants. If It is desirable
TO have the Wealth of bloom at its best
for certain date. to celebrate some
particular event, set the bulb into
growth about month previous, and