Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-07
Winter GARDENING

Many plant that comes to winter in
comparatively good health succumbs to
the influences of a hot, dry atmosphere.
combined with the mistaken kindnesses
of it's owner during the season when it
ought to be doing its share in the work
of Frightening and identifying the
window. Many amateurs fail to real
ize fully the change which has taken
place in seasons and conditions, and go
on treating their plants very much as
they treated them in summer. The
fact is, as the successful grower of
plants finds out sooner or later, each
seasons treatment AUST be varied to
suit the changed and changing condi-
tions, in order to obtain the result
aimed at-vigorous, healthy plants and
fine flowers in generous profusion.
At this season, when the air in the
room soon becomes vitiateG, and the
high temperature usually maintained
/ burns the vitality out of the plants,
the admission of pure, fresh air on ev-
cry pleasant day is necessary. In cold
weather We cannot open the window at
which our plants stand without run
ming the risk of having them chilled,
UuI we Cdli Opcu d WlfluOW OT QOOr DIT
some distance from them with perfect
safety and let in volumes of fresh air
to mix with the air of the room before
it reaches the plants. If this is done
daily, the human occupants of the
room will receive as much benefit from
it as the plants do. So marked is the
effect of this attention to the welfare
of the window garden that can tell
at sight which collection of plants gets
fresh air and which one is obliged to
breathe over and over the contaminat-
ed atmosphere of the room in which
it grows. The difference is as wide
between children turned loose out
doors each day and those hived up in
the house all the time. Therefore, give
your plants fresh air at least once a
day in winter if the weather will per-
nit.
At this season because of short days
and lack of sunshine, evaporation will,
not take place as rapidly as in sum-
mer, unless the temperature is very
high, therefore less water will be re-
quired, and this increases the danger
from over watering, unless one is
careful to observe the change in pre-
vailing conditions. Instead of apply
ing water every day, or every other
day. be governed by this rule: When
the surface of the soil looks dry, water
your plants, but not until then. OF
course this rule may have to be modi-
fed somewhat, very frequently, but it
is the best general rule that can be
given, as to the watering of plants, at
oil ,,,
growth are not in condition to make
use of much water, nor do they require
fertilizers. To give them strong ricE
food when they are at a, standstill is
a mistaken kindness, and one from
which they will greatly suffer. Wait
until they begin to grow, and theneap-
ply your fertilizer, using it in a weak
condition at first, and increasing it's
strength as growth increases. This is
very important. Many amateurs use
fertilizers indiscriminately, instead of
being governed by the need of the
plant for it, Often they are given to
start plants into growth. This is all
wrong. The plant will grow when it is
ready to do so, and then, and not till
then, are fertilizers required. If a
plant fails to grow at the proper sea-
son it is because there is something
wrong in the treatment given, and not
because of the need of fertilizer. To
resort to the use of one, while plant
is dormant, is like gorging a weak
stomach with food it cannot digest, in
the hore thereby of bringing about q
healthy development. Therefore, be
governed in your use of fertilizers by
the actual needs of the plant and it's
ability to make proper use of rich
food, as indicated by growth, ard that
alone.
Aim to give your plants an equal
chance at the light. Do not place small
ones back of large ones and leave them
that is, with the large ones nearest
the glass. Reverse this usual method
of placing them by giving the low ones
the place nearest the window, and dis
pose the tall ones in their rear. In
this way, all the plants receive the ben
eft of winter sunshine at the same
time. Those not requiring sunshine
can be arranged behind the sun-lov-
ing plants with fine decorative effect,
thus making tie window attractive
from the room as we'll as from with
out. 1t is always advisable to have
some shade-loving plants included in
ones collection, with view to their
use in places where those fond of sun
shine would not flourish. Palms, as
pidestras, azalias and snow ferns
are excellent for this purpose. So are
some of the woodworking begonias.
The best Towering plants for sunless
locations are Chinese rrimroses, prim-
ulas of the Obconica class, baby prim-
roses and Roman hyacinths.
All plants fond of water on their TO-
liage-and this means nearly all except
those having hairy leaves--will receive
q great deal of benefit by removal to
the kitchen or bathroom at least once
week for thorough showaring. Lay
them down on the floor. and apply We
ter with sprayer, being Careful to see
that it reaches the under side of all the
foliage. In this way the piants arc MT
only kept free from dust, but, insects
and especially the red spider--arn so Sc
riously interfered with, that they are