Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-10-10
KEEP YOUR
WINDOWS GAY
Winter Should Not Be Dull
to the Flower
Lovers

There is no reason why winter
should be a dull season to flower
lovers. Given a window to call ones
own, a bit Of earth in window-box
and a few seeds and bulbs, and one
can have spot Of summer in
doors while the snow lies thick upon
the land. Nor does one have to pos
.sess the knowledge Of a florist to be
successful in flower culture. Just a
love for them and a little common
sense is all that is needed.
First, one should take into consid-
Grafton the exposure of the window
which is to serve as the home conser-
vatory. If the window faces the north
or northwest. plants that thrive best
in thes un should not be planted, nor
should ferns and the other green's
whose native habitant is the cool
shadow of the woods be placed in a
southern exposure.
Again, one should not try to raise
the impossible things-1owers which
require coaxing and petting and an
absolutely equable temperature. Take
carnations, for instance. They are
subject to every ailment which other
flowers have. and there are few
troubles which are peculiarly their
own. Roses, too, are difficult to grow
/ in the living room, and violets. the pet
| ted flower Of fashion, must know in
what demand they are. and with a
ooquetry which but makes them the
more desirable. they absolutely refuse
to yield to the pleading OF the window
gardener
But there are too many plants which
fairly luxuriate under the ministrations
Of the unskilled hand, and it Is OF
these that these suggestions are made
For the sunless window or one where
the rays strike it so late in the after
noon that they have lost their power
a fernery is suggested, and with a lit
tie care it can be made so "woodsy'
that the ferns will feel as much a
home as they did in the little sylvan
dell where they were gathered. An,
right here let it be said that it is TOT
late to get ferns for oneself. That hai
to be done in the springtime. before
they form their seed. The small fern
can be bought from a florist, at Yer,
low price. and these Should be place.
in a broad, moderately deep box that ii
filled with woods earth-or soil that IL
composed largely of leaf mold. Th'
varieties known as the Boston and tn,
Sword seem to thrive best. although
there are others which attain a yer,
fair size in the window box.
In pots grouped about the window
one can have the asparagus fern ant
the delicate maiden-hair. These als'
can be grown very successfully il
hanging baskets. and they thrive par
ticularly well in the d-fashione'
ones of wire which are lined will
moss.
These Thrive in the Sun.
For the sunny window there is al
most no end to the blossoms which cal
be grown. When the owner is a bus.
man or woman it is better to stick {
the simple flowers which thrive wit
the minimum of attention and yet vii
give pleasing results. A box file
with geraniums, gardenias, dwarf pc
tunias and with 4Kennelworth ivy 4
be trained about the window casemen
will give blossoms all during the winte
months.
When it is possible. one windoy
should be devoted to the culture OF bull
bous plants. and it is here that tn
most beautiful results will be obtained
Freezias, hyacinths, tulips, narcissus-
in fact. all of the hardy bulbs can b
used. They should be planted in fiv
inch pots, allowing one hyacinth bul
to a pot, four or FIVE narcissus an
from one-half dozen to a dozen -freez
las. Cover theb ulbs with about a
e. r.1n Iva
= lar or some place where it is dark an
the temperature is cool on bed @
ashes. Cover the pots completely wit
the ashes and allow them to renal
there for four or five weeks. In tina
. time they win have formed roots, en-
when brought out to light it will b
but a few days before the leaves wi
appear to be followed in an incred
IDLY short time by the blooms.
Joss Flowers Fascinating.
One of the most fascinating bulb I
grow. as we'll as the most artistic,
, the Joss flower. or the chinese sacre
, lily. It is a variety of the narcissu
bearing in the most lavish profusio
, flowers of silver-white. with centre
of yellow. 1t is grown by the Chimes
according to their ancient custom. I
herald the advent of their new yea
and to symbolic good luck. Froi
four to six weeks is all that is require
! to bring the plants into bloom. and the
succeed everywhere with everybod!
They are best grown in shallow bow
/ Of water, with enough pebbles 10 PIE
/ ven them topping over.
: Must Have Some Attention.
e But whatever flowers are grown, the
. REQUIRE a certain amount Of attention
t II they are kept in The living-rooi
where the air is dry, they will hay
t to be watered much oftener than the
= would in room which is devoted to the
. use. But even in n living-room the
e do not necessarily have to De ateTe
r every day. A good soaking when the
: are dry IS better than sprinkle ever
- ,,ornino and evening.