New-York tribune., 1902-05-07
ON WINDOW GARDENING.
WHAT FLOWERS TO HAVE AND HOW
TO CARE FOR THEM

Window gardening is always interesting sub
ject at this season, but is even important
this year than usual. because OF the concerted ef
fort by the Women's Municipal League to create
block beautiful" in the dusty city.
There are many persons who would enjoy doing
the work themselves without the aid of a florist
and for such little book. recently published by
James Pott & Co.. New-York. will be found a help.
1t is entitled Miniature and Window Gardening y
and is by Phoebe Allen and DR.. Godfrey.
In the chapter window gardening the amateur
is told that only plants suitable for pottng should
be chosen, and that great essential their
success is to avoid using pots that unnecesa-
rily large. plants flower freely when the
roots are somewhat cramped The soil must be
well pressed down around the roots, and violent
changes from heat to cold and from light to dark
ness must be guarded against. The plants should
be watered regularly, and, II inside require plenty
of fresh air. which is best supplied by keeping a
window open about an inch from the top.
An important point to remember is that the
leaves should be washed every week with soap and
water, and the pots should be turned little every
day. or the box turned every few days. to allow
equal share OF light and to every part of the
plants. For this reason window boxes should al
ways be movable
For indoor boxes the best flowers are geraniums
fuchsias balsams begonias. primulas myrtles
cactus and musk. All of these are effective and
thrive with ordinary care. The surface Of the soil
should be stirred occasionally with a stick and a
little fresh soil added. For watering only clear
water should be used 1t is better to let 1t stand
a few hours in warm room before putting It on
the plants. When pot plants look pale and sicky
a rusty nail put In the the saucer is help
full
For outside window gardens the writer's suggest
that flowers far better left alone. and only
foliage plants cultivated when the window faces
north while great must be exercised in select
ing plants for the window facing south south
west. the is too hot for many varieties.
Among the desirable flowers the ivy leafed
lcargonium, lobelias. blue and white; mignonette
calceolaria, dwarf asters. Mimulus tigrioides
monkey fower) and the saIvias Geraniums are at
home in a sunny window, and fuchsias like the
shade The best fuchsias for window boxes the
Aurora Superba Elm City, Charming, Avalanche,
Frau Emma Topfey and Ernest Renan.
Begonias, nasturtiurns, the convolvulus and
ariensts are well adapted to box gardens. The be-
Nasturtiums may easily be trained form pretty
archWay around window. For this purpose the
seeds to be sown at each end Of the box and
70 the wall with long nails to keep IL fair
distance from the wall One nail is put into the side
OF the house Just above the middle Of the window,
one on each side, about foot below the top. and
one near each end Of the box at the sides
When the summer flowers departing asters
chrysanthemums and the helichrysums excel
ridge and chrysanthemum carinatum are both beau
uful and easily grown in boxes. Later in the
and white blossoms, and the Barbaris darwin,
with its scarlet berries, charming.
The window gardener is warned that rain Is not
TO be depended upon for moisture as little reaches
the boxes when IL falls consequently they must be
well watered. A little fertilizer, which can be OBJ
tained for trife from any scotsman. is to be
added to the water occasionally.
If insects appear they must be removed immedi-
ately. The most effectual way is TO dissolve about
two ounces Of soap in half gallon of water and
apply 1t with a syringe for several days in
cession