Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-13
WINTER HOUSE GARDEN
Pleasure in Watching the
Tiniest Flower Grow.
PLANTS FOR BOXES
WHAT TO SELECT FOR SUNNY OR
SHADY WINDOWS.
Put Ferns and Wood Blossoms To.
gether for Happy Day
Memory.

cow full is source of constant interest ana
delight in watching the coming OF the new
leaves and shoots and in experiencing the
thrill of surprise and pleasure as each new
bud appears. Few there are TO whom How
ers do not appeal in some measure and 10
many they are solace for the petty trlals
of life and an antidote for melancholy
while to the invalid they are JOY incom-
parable.
II the windows are not sunny ferns ana
palms grow well and are eXquisitely delicate
and beautiful. Ferns require good deal OF
water but little or no sun. A moderate or
rather cool temperature is best. The beau
tiful feathery asparagus fern Is especially
attractive as are also the delicate maiden
hair and farlienSiS. The common sword fern
is quite hardy and satisfactory grower;
Japanese fern balls are very pretty ana
NAV now be obtained from almost any
florist These curious things are made from
an ordinary kind of fern. The roots are
wound around ball of sphagnum moss ana
bound with cord or wire. The moss serves
as a sponge to hold the moisture wmch
keeps the fern growing 1t is hung in the
window and taken down every rev Gays
and placed in water for snort Time
until the moss in the center absorbs enough
moisture to last for some time. The Japa-
nese. who are artists in flower culture. have
also succeeded in twisting these fern roots
into monkey forms and other curious amman
shapes, including horses and elephants
Reporting Hints.
Cuttings of geraniums and of almost any
Of the ordinary varieties Of house plants
intended for winter blooming should be
made in July or August, though with care
they may be made to grow almost any time.
1t is better to let them remain in water
little while. Sometimes they will begin 10
take root before they are planted. They
should be kept quite damp for about TWEEN
ty-four to thirty-six hours after planning,
but do not overdo the matter, or they Will
be rotted. Keep them out of the sun unul
thew have taken root All plants should be
kept in the shade and quite wet after re-
potting, especially when brought INDOORS III
the autumn 1t is much better to take ne"
cuttings of geraniums, fuchsas etc. thaI
to save over the old plants, as the 1lrst
years blossoms and growth are much
larger and more luxuriant than those OF old
plants.
Ferns thrive best in a leaf mold, and
palms require a sandy SOIL Begonias need
a temperature of from IS to 10 degrees
The temperature for coleus or any ike
plant with a succulent stem shouid never
be below 20 degrees. 1t is much better TO
be kept above this point. If the leaves OF
your coleus begin to turn yellow and fall
off it is chilled and will die If not placed
in a higher temperature.
Restful Paradise.
Hannv IS the flower lover who can have
the green restfulness of which
is a veritable paradise. But many for whom
this is not within reach will take comfort
In sunny windows and other contrivances,
some of which are very charming. For IN
stance If the front of the house mas
sunny exposure the porch may be eXtehueo
to the second story in sort or Wlnoo"
continuation of the upper hall, Whlch forms
,,lo for a
ture conservatory, in fact one lover OIL
flowers whom l know glazed off a corner
of the piazza about five feet square TO form
little conservatory WINDOW opened
from the dining room into this corner, anu
1t was kept warm by a register. There was
a little fountain in the middle with room
enough to pass between it and the shelves
for the plants, which ran all around 1t. me
fountain was surrounded by ferns. This
ARRANGEMENT was so contrived that 1t could
be removed in the summer II desired IN
much the same manner as storm porch,
and the glass window frames. fountain ana
shelves were stored till the next winter.
A Flower Window.
have seen a glass window case the
whole length of the window which was a
very nice contrivance for plants. 1t was
constructed like miniature bay window,
except that it did not extend to the moor
hut ONLY from the window sill to the top OF
the frame. The sash was removed from the
window and shelves were placed across
to hold the pots. There is easily room In
such a case for two shelves besides the VIM
dow sill, which constitutes the third and
bottom one. hanging pot VIII lii TIC
space at the <op.
Inside window boxes may be bought OF
the florist together with the necessary
gardening tools for work on a small scale.
Fill these boxes If possible, with such
plants as to keep their foliage and blossoms
all the year around. Few plants know Will
do this Geraniums will, and they are con-
seuuently the most satisfactory house
plants which one can have. Besides there
are so many varieties. Seedlings will near
ly always develop new colors, and II is
pleasure to save and plant the seeds for the
surprises they may have in store In this re-
spect. The single varieties are preferable
to the double, though this Is largely mat
ter ftaste. In double geraniums the Buff
falo Bill is an exquisite variety. with its
shades of pink and greenish white
Primroses in Favor.
In the same class with geraniums for all
round boomers are primroSeS. The Chinese
primrose and varieties known as obconica,
with their shades of mauve. pink and white,
blossom profusely In fact. they are hardly
ever out of bloom, and require very little
sun and no care to speak of except to water
them occasionally. Fuchsias are good
boomers and very hardy, ranking almost
with the geranium in this latter respect.
When the plants have been arranged In
your window box SOW the spare spaces with
mignonette. This modest but fragrant
flower will bloom the year round and Will
sow itself after once being introduced into
the SOIL A dear old lady friend of mine
who is very fond Of plants keeps wide
mouthed, shallow seed pot of mignonette
in bloom all the year. 1t is placed in jar
diniere near the window, and on entering
the room the delicate fragrance greets you
like a breath of summer over SnOwcov-
cred landscape.
The handsome gloxina remains a long
time in bloom. have known the blossoms
to last for weeks, and 1t Is a truly beautiful
and snowy flower The different shades
from deep purple and blue to pale mauve
Ga blush purple) and reds to pale pink.
sometimes with white edges and white with
red or purple spots. are ravishingly lovely.
Ferns Need Little Sun.
If your window is not very sunny it is bet
ter to plant ferns and such foliage plants
as require little sun. If you are within
reach Of the woods, go out and dig up some
Jack in the pulpit or Indian turnip and
moccasion plant. together with some little
creeping wild vines and wood anemones or
twin flowers, and plant these among the
ferns. In the winter days when the snow
is on the ground they will speak to you OF
the woods. Dig with them some Of the fra
grant leaf mold. Its odor will recall the
summer DAYS and make 1t a pleasure to dig