The Washington herald., 1910-02-10
POTTED FLOWERS AND PLANTS:
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEM

While few Of US can have q conserva-
tory even Of the miniature kind-ln fact
a south or east side bay window IS
sometimes quite as much out Of the
question-one may always regulate the
number and choice Of ones house plants
according to conveniences and facilities
for taking care OF them. In short
everybody can afford a few. Even q
little potted asparagus fern will mean
some living. growing thing that gives
you a Whit of the great green out Of
doors beyond the city limits and re-
minds you OF the lavish abundance OF
nature, writes Bertha Kobelt IN the Chit
cago Tribune.
House plants always come handy as
material for decoration for such occa-
sions as home entertainments and par
ties. II you belong TO a church, 1t is
quite gratifying 10 be able 10 lend a
hand in embellishing the pulpit for fes-
tive Sundays. If there should be a we'd
ding in your family, your ferns and your
baby palms and begonias viii be hand
some accessories to the general floral
decorations During the winter time a
small house plant with bright blossoms
set in a dainty little jardiniere that will
conceal the ground and clay pot are an
excellent substitute for the fresh cut
flowers on your dinner OF lunch table,
especially when they are expensive.
Should you De averse 10 house plants
huddled primIy into q bay window, let
every member OF the family take care
Of one and find a suitable place for It IN
their own chambers Men are often
quite as fond OF flowers as their femk
nine neighbors. and they manifest Just as
much solicitude for a pretty little fern
OF geranium in an attractive pot that
is intended to add a touch Of grace and
beauty 20 their surroundings.
Flowers I'm the Bedroom.
The light and space Of the average
bedroom will scarcely allow more than
one Of these; therefore let it be an at
tractive specimen. Some people have the
mistaken notion that house flowers are
unhealthy in bedrooms. But on the
contrary they have quite salubTiOus
effect on the sleeper who doesn't raise
his window at night. They are 4 boon
in an unventilated room. as they absort
poisonous gases. To say that sleeping
out among the trees is unhealthy would
be quite as credible.
Probably none Of Us would approve OF
a barricade of flower pots IN the kitchen
window; where there is much hustle and
activity they are invariably in the way
and subject TO rude jolts. In fact. more
than one plant on the ordinary window
sill IS out OF taste and quite a nuisance
TO such as are addicted 70 the gazing out
habit. To prevent stain and marks or
the polish or stain OF the window sill
an asbestos or flannel pad should never
be omitted. 4 small wire stand that
Will accommodate a dozen plants is con-
venient where flowers are a confirmed
hobby
One may have an attractive array OF
house plants without taking special les
sons in horticulture or importing fancy
orchids or rare eXotics from the South
Sea Islands. There are large varieties
of domestic and old-fashioned plants. OF
such as have besn imported way back IN
the colonial days. The red and white
geraniums. the graceful fuschias, with
their pink, bell-IiBe blossoms, the redolent
dahlia with its purple rOsettes. the fan
tastic cactus, and n little oIeander tree
or aloe shrub in painted tubs would
make a pretty collection.
Should you occupy a ''wedged in fiat
that has only one front window and that